**Core Concept**
Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a component of sunlight that can cause damage to the skin, leading to various consequences such as sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. There are three main types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
UVB radiation is the primary type of UV radiation responsible for inducing skin cancer. This is because UVB radiation has a shorter wavelength (290-320 nanometers) and higher energy than UVA radiation, making it more effective at damaging DNA in skin cells. When UVB radiation enters the skin, it is absorbed by the DNA in skin cells, leading to mutations that can result in skin cancer. The main enzyme responsible for repairing UV-induced DNA damage is nucleotide excision repair (NER).

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** UVA radiation is incorrect because, although it can cause skin damage and contribute to skin aging, it is not the primary type of UV radiation responsible for inducing skin cancer. UVA radiation has a longer wavelength (320-400 nanometers) and lower energy than UVB radiation.
**Option B:** UVC radiation is incorrect because it is largely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and does not pose a significant risk to human skin. UVC radiation has an even shorter wavelength (220-290 nanometers) than UVB radiation and is not typically associated with skin cancer.
**Option C:** UV radiation in general is incorrect because it is a broad category that includes UVA, UVB, and UVC radiation. While UV radiation as a whole can cause skin damage, the specific type of UV radiation responsible for inducing skin cancer is UVB.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
When assessing patients with skin cancer, it is essential to consider their history of sun exposure, including the use of tanning beds and the frequency of outdoor activities. Patients with a history of prolonged sun exposure are at increased risk of developing skin cancer.

**Correct Answer: C. UVB radiation. UVB radiation is the primary type of ultraviolet radiation known to induce skin cancer.**