Human Adaptation and Evolution

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Questions and Answers

Humans exhibit a unique capacity among animals for environmental adaptation. What primarily drives this adaptation?

  • Cultural mechanisms (correct)
  • Genetic inheritance
  • Biological factors exclusively
  • Natural selection alone

Which form(s) of adaptation can occur within an individual's lifetime?

  • Genetic adaptation
  • Acclimatization
  • Developmental adjustment
  • All of the above
  • B and C (correct)

Why can most people identify what they consider to be racial groups?

  • Racial differences are real
  • Most people are racist
  • The differences between people are obvious
  • Phenotypic traits tend to cluster by region (correct)

Why was Sherwood Washburn influential in biological anthropology?

<p>He advocated for a shift from classifying humans by type to understanding the processes of evolutionary change in populations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of this course, what does 'inherited disadvantage' refer to?

<p>The biological mechanisms through which social inequalities are passed down across generations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly pairs a trait that is genetically constrained with a trait more influenced by the environment?

<p>Heart shape, foot length (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The increase in average height over the past 150 years has been accompanied by all EXCEPT which of the following?

<p>Worsening health status and increasing spread of infectious disease (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Humans have 46 chromosomes, while chimpanzees have 48. Does this mean chimpanzees have more DNA and are genetically more complex?

<p>False (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Cultural Adaptation

Humans uniquely adapt to their environment through learned behavior and transmitted knowledge.

Lifetime Adaptations

Acclimatization and developmental adjustments happen during a person's lifetime.

Perception of 'Races'

Phenotypic traits (observable characteristics) tend to be more common in certain regions.

Sherwood Washburn's Impact

He shifted focus from classifying humans to understanding evolutionary change mechanisms.

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"Inherited Disadvantage"

The ways that social disadvantages are passed down through generations, affecting biology.

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Genetic vs. Environmental Influence

Some traits are more genetically determined, while others are more influenced by the environment.

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Trends in Growth

Increased stature and earlier maturation have been correlated with improved, not damaged, health.

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Complexity and Chromosomes

The complexity of an organism is due to the information it holds, and how it's arranged.

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Study Notes

  • Environmental adaptation in humans is primarily cultural, setting us apart from other animals.
  • Acclimatization and developmental adjustments are changes that can occur within a person's lifetime.
  • People identify "races" mainly because phenotypic traits tend to cluster by region.
  • Sherwood Washburn advocated for a shift in physical anthropology towards understanding evolutionary change mechanisms in populations, not just typological classification.
  • "Inherited disadvantage" refers to biological pathways that transmit social disadvantage across generations.
  • Traits like heart shape are genetically constrained, while traits like foot length are more influenced by the environment.
  • The increase in stature over the past 150 years has not been accompanied by worsening health and increased spread of infectious disease.
  • Chimpanzees having 48 chromosomes while humans have 46 does not mean chimpanzees are genetically more complex than humans.
  • Adopted children's characteristics shared with biological parents are mostly genetic, while similarities with adoptive parents reflect environmental factors.
  • Most behavioral traits are influenced by many genes and the environment, best described as polygenic.

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