Which form of radiation is most strongly absorbed by skin?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the form of radiation that is most strongly absorbed by the skin. This type of radiation falls within a specific spectrum of the electromagnetic spectrum and has shorter wavelengths than visible light, which allows it to penetrate the skin effectively.

The skin contains various layers, including the epidermis, which absorbs UV radiation to a significant degree. The primary biological effect of UV radiation includes the stimulation of melanin production, which leads to tanning, and in some cases, can cause damage to cellular DNA. This damage can potentially result in skin cancer over prolonged exposure, emphasizing how specifically impactful UV radiation is on skin health.

While other types of radiation, such as X-rays and gamma rays, have the ability to penetrate the skin and tissues, they are not absorbed by the skin's upper layers to the same extent as UV radiation. Infrared radiation primarily heats the skin but does not cause the same level of cellular change or damage as UV radiation does. Thus, the specific interaction of UV radiation with skin cells and its higher absorption compared to other radiation types make it the correct answer.