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Flashcards in Chapter 11 Deck (16)
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1
Q

Diversity in H. Sapiens

A

Our greatest amount of genetic diversity occurs within populations rather than between populations

2
Q

Aging

A
• loss of bone density and muscle tissue
• dry skin 
• reduced vision
• lessened or loss of hearing 
• reduced ability to taste 
• menopause/decline in sperm count 
• loss of teeth
• more susceptibility to diseases
-Caused by cultural and genetic factors
3
Q

Life Span

A

Theoretical maximum age determined by genetic predestiny

4
Q

Life Expectancy

A

The average length of time a person can expect to live

-Includes many factors that may influence the lifespan of an individual

5
Q

Hominins have:

A
  • Become less robust over time
  • Subject in some cases to Allen’s and Bergman’s rules
  • In developed nations: Increased in stature and body mass
6
Q

Folate

A

A nutrient important in DNA repair, nucleic acid synthesis, and cell division (e.g, spermatogenesis), and thus reproductive success.
-Darker skin in lower lattitudes offers protection from UV damage

7
Q

Blood Group Variation

A
  • some blood types appear to be associated with disease resistance or disease susceptibility
  • the distribution of blood types is also due to Founders’ Effect and genetic drift (i.e. colonizing Americas)
  • the malarial context is especially notable for natural selection on blood types (balanced polymorphism)
8
Q

Acclimation

A

Short-term changes that occur when exposed to stress (e.g. sweating when hot)

9
Q

Acclimatization

A

Physiological changes that require days to months to develop (e.g., increase in red blood cells after moving to high-altitude)

10
Q

Developmental Acclimatization

A

Changes that occur during the growth of an individual (e.g., larger chest size in high-altitudes)

11
Q

Acclimation in cold stress

A

• vasoconstriction: constriction of blood vessels reduces blood flow and heat loss
• vasodilation: opening of blood vessels increases blood flow and heat loss
-Physiological response

12
Q

Acclimation in heat stress

A
  • radiation: body radiates heat but also picks up heat from other objects
  • convection: heat exchange by contact, e.g., with clothing or the ground
  • evaporation: sweating
  • vasodilation
13
Q

High-altitude hypoxia

A

With low pressure at high-altitude, the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood cells is too low to allow oxygen to diffuse into the tissues unless there are special physiological adjustments /adaptations

14
Q

Developmental Acclimitization for high-altitude hypoxia:

A

Individuals born or brought early into high-altitudes develop:

  • Larger chest circumference
  • Greater lung volume
  • Shorter stature
15
Q

Modernization and Obesity

A
  • changes in diet combined with a more sedentary lifestyle

* serious health problems (i.e. increased obesity)

16
Q

Modernization and Blood Pressure

A
  • blood pressure higher in modernized populations & increases with age
  • blood pressure lower in traditional societies & does not increase with age