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What Organ Absorbs Sunlight?

Published in Biology 1 min read

The organ that absorbs sunlight is the skin.

The skin contains specialized cells called melanocytes that produce melanin, a pigment that absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight.

Melanin protects the deeper layers of the skin from damage caused by UV rays, such as sunburn, skin cancer, and premature aging.

The amount of melanin produced by the skin determines a person's skin color. People with darker skin have more melanin, which provides greater protection from UV radiation.

While the skin is the primary organ that absorbs sunlight, the eyes also absorb some UV radiation. The retina at the back of the eye is particularly sensitive to UV damage.

The eyes are protected from UV radiation by the cornea and the lens, which filter out most of the harmful rays.

However, prolonged exposure to sunlight can still damage the eyes, leading to conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

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