Podcast
Questions and Answers
What concept explains the observation that larger-bodied individuals are found in colder climates?
What concept explains the observation that larger-bodied individuals are found in colder climates?
Which of the following is an example of a human population that serves as an exception to Bergmann's Rule?
Which of the following is an example of a human population that serves as an exception to Bergmann's Rule?
What is a contributing factor to variations in human skin color?
What is a contributing factor to variations in human skin color?
Which rule describes the relationship between limb length and temperature in human populations?
Which rule describes the relationship between limb length and temperature in human populations?
Signup and view all the answers
Which assertion about human facial structure and climate is accurate?
Which assertion about human facial structure and climate is accurate?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one way human variation can be produced?
What is one way human variation can be produced?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of selection would favor extreme traits over moderate traits?
Which type of selection would favor extreme traits over moderate traits?
Signup and view all the answers
What impact does cooking food have on human physical traits?
What impact does cooking food have on human physical traits?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes neutral traits in humans?
Which of the following best describes neutral traits in humans?
Signup and view all the answers
Acclimatization differs from adaptation in that acclimatization is:
Acclimatization differs from adaptation in that acclimatization is:
Signup and view all the answers
The different frequencies of neutral traits among populations can be attributed to:
The different frequencies of neutral traits among populations can be attributed to:
Signup and view all the answers
What type of selection tends to stabilize trait distributions within a population?
What type of selection tends to stabilize trait distributions within a population?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following factors does NOT influence human growth and development?
Which of the following factors does NOT influence human growth and development?
Signup and view all the answers
What physiological condition is characterized by oxygen deficiency at high altitudes?
What physiological condition is characterized by oxygen deficiency at high altitudes?
Signup and view all the answers
What likely contributes to a lower caloric expenditure in high altitude populations?
What likely contributes to a lower caloric expenditure in high altitude populations?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following diseases was notably spread due to the close proximity of humans and domesticated animals?
Which of the following diseases was notably spread due to the close proximity of humans and domesticated animals?
Signup and view all the answers
What factor does Bergmann's Rule primarily relate to?
What factor does Bergmann's Rule primarily relate to?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following populations might not demonstrate expected physical adaptations according to Bergmann's and Allen's rules?
Which of the following populations might not demonstrate expected physical adaptations according to Bergmann's and Allen's rules?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant factor in the susceptibility of populations to diseases introduced by Europeans?
What is a significant factor in the susceptibility of populations to diseases introduced by Europeans?
Signup and view all the answers
Which characteristic is linked to dark-colored skin according to Gloger's Rule?
Which characteristic is linked to dark-colored skin according to Gloger's Rule?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common outcome of virgin soil epidemics when new diseases are introduced to populations?
What is a common outcome of virgin soil epidemics when new diseases are introduced to populations?
Signup and view all the answers
What physical factors, beyond genetics, primarily determine skin color?
What physical factors, beyond genetics, primarily determine skin color?
Signup and view all the answers
What advantage of dark skin in sunny climates can be explained through natural selection?
What advantage of dark skin in sunny climates can be explained through natural selection?
Signup and view all the answers
Why might light skin color be selected for in temperate climates?
Why might light skin color be selected for in temperate climates?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Gloger's Rule related to?
What is Gloger's Rule related to?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a virgin soil epidemic?
What is a virgin soil epidemic?
Signup and view all the answers
What describes a secular trend in human populations?
What describes a secular trend in human populations?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is a genetically homogenous population at greater risk from infectious diseases?
Why is a genetically homogenous population at greater risk from infectious diseases?
Signup and view all the answers
What is hypoxia?
What is hypoxia?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Human Variation
- Anthropology studies both cultural and physical variation in human populations.
- External features (e.g., skin colour, height) and internal features (e.g., blood type, disease susceptibility) vary in human populations.
- Physical differences exist due to genetic differences, environmental influences, or both.
- No human populations are superior to others based on these variations.
Processes in Human Variation
- Natural Selection: Traits associated with higher survival rates become more common in a population over time.
- The environment heavily impacts traits; an adaptive trait successful in one region may not be in another.
- Directional Selection: Favors one extreme of a trait, increasing its frequency over time. Example: Peppered moths adapting to darker tree trunks.
- Normalizing Selection: Removes extreme variations of a trait, maintaining the average value. Example: Salmon size.
- Balancing Selection: Favors heterozygous combinations of alleles. Example: Sickle-cell anemia.
- Neutral Traits: Variations in traits that do not influence survival or reproduction. These variations may occur due to genetic drift or gene flow.
Influence of Environment
- Physical environment (e.g., climate, nutrition) affects human growth and development.
- Acclimatization, temporary changes in physiology, occurs in response to environmental conditions.
- Cultural factors, like clothing styles or diet, also impact physical traits over time.
Biological Diversity in Human Populations
- Adaptation to differing environments occurs through diverse physical traits (e.g., skin color, build).
- Physical variations are mostly external: build, facial features, skin color.
- Internal changes, such as disease resistance, enzymes, are also crucial aspects of physical variation.
- Bergmann's Rule: Larger body sizes are selected for in colder climates, smaller sizes in warmer climates.
- Allen's Rule: Protruding body parts (arms, legs) are shorter in colder regions, longer in warmer.
Skin Color
- Skin color is influenced by melanin (pigment) and blood vessel size.
- Gloger's Rule: Populations in warmer humid regions tend to have darker skin.
- Dark skin offers protection against UV radiation, protecting folate (important for reproduction).
- Light skin is associated with vitamin D production in areas with less sunlight.
Adaptation to High Altitude
- Humans living in high altitudes have adaptations like increased lung capacity and faster breathing to compensate for lower oxygen levels.
- Andean natives show different physical traits that may be adaptations to high altitude. These adaptations might not solely be genetic.
Height and Climate
- Worldwide increases in height occur in several populations, potentially due to improved health and nutrition.
- Environmental factors, such as climate, play a role in population height variation within a region.
- Certain diseases can affect height; malnutrition can contribute to reduced growth.
Worldwide Trends in Human Variation
- Secular trends in height show changes over time.
- Increased height can occur after improvements in healthcare, nutrition, and socioeconomic conditions.
- Variation in physical features contributes to diversity; however, it doesn't imply hierarchy.
Race and Racism
- Biological concept of race is inaccurate as human diversity is complex and continuous.
- Race is a social construct influenced by cultural and historical factors.
- Racial classifications are often arbitrary and have been used to justify discrimination and exploitation.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the fascinating aspects of human variation through anthropology. This quiz covers external and internal features, the impact of genetics and environment, and the processes of natural selection. It aims to deepen your understanding of how traits evolve and adapt in different populations.
