Which of the following statements about eumelanin is true?

Eumelanin is indeed the most common type of melanin found in humans. It plays a crucial role in determining skin, hair, and eye color. Eumelanin is generally associated with darker shades, contributing to brown and black pigmentation. This widespread presence in the human body provides essential protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, helping to prevent damage to DNA and reducing the risk of skin cancer.

The other statements do not accurately reflect the characteristics or functions of eumelanin. For instance, it does not produce lighter skin tones; lighter skin is typically associated with lower concentrations of eumelanin and a higher presence of pheomelanin, which contributes to red and yellow hues. While eumelanin does play a significant role in hair color, it is not exclusively responsible for it as pheomelanin also contributes to lighter hair shades. Furthermore, eumelanin is produced in greater quantities compared to phaeomelanin, which counters the statement about its lesser production. Overall, understanding the role of eumelanin in pigmentation provides insights into the biological variations in skin and hair color among different populations.