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.
