Sunburn

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/sunburn

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How long is Sunburn?Increased risk of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers
2. What is the primary etiological agent?Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, primarily UVB and UVA
3. What is the cellular response to damage?DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, and Type I programmed cell death (apoptosis)
4. Why does sunburn hurt and feel hot?UV rays damage DNA in skin cells, causing inflammation that releases pain signals and makes the skin feel hot and swollen.
5. How can I protect my skin from getting a sunburn?Use broad‑spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB, wear protective clothing, and stay in the shade when the sun is strongest.

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: Electromagnetic radiation from the sun with wavelengths shorter than visible light, capable of causing biological damage.
Apoptosis: Programmed cell death, a regulated process essential for eliminating damaged or unnecessary cells.
Inflammatory Cascade: A series of biochemical events triggered by injury or infection, leading to inflammation.
Photoaging: Premature aging of the skin caused by prolonged exposure to UV radiation.