Which wavelength of light initiates Vitamin D synthesis in the skin?

Prepare for the Pivot Point Skin 106 Test. Use diverse study tools like flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Understand key skin care topics to excel in your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which wavelength of light initiates Vitamin D synthesis in the skin?

Explanation:
UVB light initiates Vitamin D synthesis in the skin because its photons have just enough energy to break the chemical bond in 7-dehydrocholesterol, producing previtamin D3 in the epidermis. From there, previtamin D3 thermally rearranges to vitamin D3, which then travels to the liver and kidneys for final activation. Wavelengths outside this UVB range—like UVA and visible light—don’t provide the necessary energy to drive this photochemical step, so they don’t efficiently produce vitamin D.

UVB light initiates Vitamin D synthesis in the skin because its photons have just enough energy to break the chemical bond in 7-dehydrocholesterol, producing previtamin D3 in the epidermis. From there, previtamin D3 thermally rearranges to vitamin D3, which then travels to the liver and kidneys for final activation. Wavelengths outside this UVB range—like UVA and visible light—don’t provide the necessary energy to drive this photochemical step, so they don’t efficiently produce vitamin D.

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