Modern Human Variation and Adaptation

Question 1

Biological determinism

Answer 1

cultural and biological variations are inherited in the same way

Question 2

eugenics

Answer 2

“race improvement” through forced sterilization of members of some groups and encouraged reproduction amongst others

Question 3

meaning of race in human biology

Answer 3

race has no real meaning, in any racial group there will be individuals who fall into the normal range of variation for another group or one of several characteristics

Question 4

polytypic species

Answer 4

a species composed of local populations that differ in the expression of one or more traits

Question 5

are humans polytypic

Answer 5

yes

Question 6

for a polytypic species, even within local populaions, theres a great deal of

Answer 6

genotypic and phenotypic variation between individuals

Question 7

what are the four levels of adaptation?

Answer 7

genetic
developmental
acclimatization (physiological)
Cultural (behavioural)

Question 8

what is the most climatically dispersed species?

Answer 8

humans

Question 9

human variation is the result of

Answer 9

adaptations to environmental conditions

Question 10

three levels of physiological response to environment

Answer 10

short term
long term
acquired

Question 11

long term physiological response

Answer 11

evolutionary changes characterize all individuals within a population or species
ex. bipedalism

Question 12

short term physiological response

Answer 12

temporary physiological response is called acclimation

ex. sweating or shivering

Question 13

acquired physiological response

Answer 13

longer term adaptive responses are called acclimatization

ex. increased lung size and RBC count for populations living at high altitudes

Question 14

homeothermy

Answer 14

complex evolved physiological mechanisms to maintain a constant body temperature, done by mammals and birds

Question 15

homeothermy allows for the development of…

Answer 15

complex brains

Question 16

bergmanns rule

Answer 16

body mass tends to be greater in populations that live in cold environments

Question 17

allens rule

Answer 17

limb length tends to increase in hotter climates and decrease in colder climates

Question 18

long term adaptation to heat evolved in our ancestors

Answer 18

sweat glands (fur covered animals dont have these- thus they are linked to are lack of fur)
vasodilation

Question 19

allens and bergmans rule are true from

Answer 19

all mammalian species

Question 20

for heat retention the perfect body shape would be

Answer 20

a sphere

Question 21

rationale behind allens and bergmans rules

Answer 21

because heat is lost at surface, greater mass allows for greater heat retention and reduced heat loss

longer limbs have more surface area and thus are able to radiate off more heat and cool off quicker

Question 22

allens and bergmans rule combined

Answer 22

as mass increases the relative amount of surface area decreases proportionately

Question 23

examples of allens and bergmanns rules

Answer 23

elongated arms and limbs in populations close to the equator

inuits are shorter and rounder

Question 24

skin colour is a

Answer 24

evolution to solar radiation stress

Question 25

cold adapted people have...

Answer 25

sustainable patterns of vasoconstriction and shivering that also maintain bloodflow

Question 26

5 climate adaptations to cold stress

Answer 26

``` vasoconstriction shivering elevated basal metabolic rate clothing and shelter (cultural) allens and bergmans rules ```

Question 27

in areas where food resources are limited or sporadic, people tend to evolve towards...

Answer 27

relatively short statures | need less food

Question 28

function of melanin

Answer 28

blocks UVB rays and protects DNA in cells from being damaged

Question 29

how is melanin production incited

Answer 29

UVB rays trigger melanocytes which then produce melanin more solar stress= more triggered melanocites = more melanin production

Question 30

we create our own vitamin D, but it requires

Answer 30

solar radiation

Question 31

why is lighter skin adapted to colder climates

Answer 31

because it allows for more solar radiation in and thus a sufficient amount of vitamin D will be produced- avoids things such as rickets

Question 32

Uv radiation helps synthesize vitamin D, but depletes...

Answer 32

folic acid, which is necessary for DNA synthesis and spinal development

Question 33

selective advantages of dark skin

Answer 33

protects from folate degredation especially important for pregnant mothers also protects from skin cancer and sun burn

Question 34

cancer was probably not a huge factor in human evolution since

Answer 34

Most get it after having children

Question 35

adaptations to high altitudes

Answer 35

larger lungs and greater RBC production (helps oxegenate tissues bettwe even when not much is available) smaller body size

Question 36

ability to consume milk after the infant stage is a

Answer 36

human biocultural adaptation

Question 37

polymorphisms

Answer 37

characteristics with different phenotypic expressions

Question 38

a genetic trait is polymorphic if...

Answer 38

the locus that governs it has two or more alleles

Question 39

geneticists use polymorphisms as a tool to understand...

Answer 39

evolutionary processes in modern populations

Question 40

evolutionary processes can also be understood within a __________ context

Answer 40

cultural

Question 41

Wolff's law for skeletal adaptation

Answer 41

bone is not a static structure- it is a living organism that responds to stress and lack of use stresses can tell us how they were used

Question 42

how did culture impact the rise of the sickle cell allele

Answer 42

slash and burn agricultural practices resulted in rainwater being left to stand in stagnant pools and thus mosquito breeding areas close to human settlement rise in malaria and thus rise in sickle cell allele

Question 43

in all mammalian populations, infants and young children are able to digest

Answer 43

milk

Question 44

what happens to the gene that codes for lactase production as a mammal ages

Answer 44

usually it is switched "off" in adolescence since its weird for mammals to drink milk after infancy

Question 45

the geographical distribution of lactose tolerance is related to...

Answer 45

a history of cultural dependance on fresh milk products closely related to populations whose ancestors herded milk producing animals