Human Variation and Race

1. Select only ONE of the following environmental stresses: (a) heat, (b) high levels of solar radiation, (c) cold, or (d) high altitude. Discuss specifically how this environmental stress negatively impacts the survival of humans by disturbing homeostasis. (5 pts) In looking at Human variation, it is hard to see beyond the color. As humans we have developed on way thinking when it comes to race. We have created stereotypes that are judgmental and actually have no scientific reasoning behind them. This leads to assumptions about people in regards to race that are just illogical. There are many different environmental stresses that can affect race of a region or person. Specifically, let’s look at heat and how it negatively impacts the survival of humans by disturbing homeostasis. Increased heat can be very detrimental to humans and eventually lead to death. When body temperature rises to 105 degrees or more it is considered hyperthermia. Hyperthermia can result in deterioration of internal organs and eventually death.

2. Identify 4 ways in which humans have adapted to this stress, choosing one specific adaptation from each of the different types of adaptations listed above (short term, facultative, developmental and cultural). Include images of the adaptations. (5 pts each/ 20 pts total) Four ways in which humans adapt to stress can be categorized into short term, facultative, developmental, and cultural. First a short term way humans react to heat is by sweating. Our bodies use sweating as a way to cool down our core temperature to maintain homeostasis. If it weren’t for sweating, our bodies would over heat very rapidly to the point of no return. Secondly, a facultative adaption to heat is skin pigment darkening, or tanning. When an environment experiences extreme heat, this also means there is an excess of ultraviolet light, which can cause skin pigment to darken. Thirdly, a developmental adaption to heat is body size. Groups that live in areas that have high heat are often very tall and slender. This is because the more surface area your body has, the more heat it releases. This also leads to individuals having longer arms and legs. Finally a cultural adaptation to heat is seen in the clothing. Clothing worn by different cultures in high heat environments are typically more revealing. This is because the more clothes you wear, generates more heat. Therefore in high heat environments, the less clothes the more heat your body will release into the environment, and keep you cool.

3. What are the benefits of studying human variation from this perspective across environmental clines? Can information from explorations like this be useful to help us in any way? Offer one example of how this information can be used in a productive way. (5 pts) The benefits of exploring human variation from the environmental influences perspective are numerous. It allows us to be subjective when looking at our differences. Although humans are a species with very small genetic variations, we tend to put a lot of stress on our variations. This causes us to have stereotypes and subjective reasoning.

4. How would you use race to understand the variation of the adaptations you listed in #2? Explain why the study of environmental influences on adaptations is a better way to understand human variation than by the use of race. (10 pts) Again, by looking at the different adaptions to heat it helps us to realize that everything happens for a reason. Skin pigment is a result of environment and that’s it. The traits that make up a culture are different because of environmental pressures and adaptations. Yes, they are different but they all derive from a survival adaptation. Without our differences, we would not be able to habitat most of the environment’s on this planet. So, all in all our differences is what makes us a strong and durable species… so far.