What do melanocytes produce as a response to UV exposure?

Melanocytes respond to UV exposure by producing melanin, which is the pigment responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes. This production of melanin serves several important functions. Firstly, melanin absorbs UV radiation, helping to protect the skin's deeper layers from potential damage caused by sunlight. By increasing melanin production in response to UV exposure, the body attempts to shield itself from harmful effects such as DNA damage, which can lead to skin cancer and other skin disorders. This reaction is part of the skin's natural defense system, demonstrating how the body adapts to environmental stimuli.

In contrast, keratins are proteins produced by keratinocytes, the predominant cells in the outermost layer of skin, but they are not directly involved in the response to UV exposure. Collagen is a structural protein found in the dermis that provides strength and elasticity to the skin, but it does not play a role in the immediate response to UV light. Vitamin D is synthesized by the skin in response to UV light exposure, but it is a different biological process separate from the action of melanocytes. Thus, the correct response to UV exposure is the production of melanin by melanocytes.