Chapter 11

Question 1

Diversity in H. Sapiens

Answer 1

Our greatest amount of genetic diversity occurs within populations rather than between populations

Question 2

Aging

Answer 2

• loss of bone density and muscle tissue
• dry skin 
• reduced vision
• lessened or loss of hearing 
• reduced ability to taste 
• menopause/decline in sperm count 
• loss of teeth
• more susceptibility to diseases
-Caused by cultural and genetic factors

Question 3

Life Span

Answer 3

Theoretical maximum age determined by genetic predestiny

Question 4

Life Expectancy

Answer 4

The average length of time a person can expect to live

-Includes many factors that may influence the lifespan of an individual

Question 5

Hominins have:

Answer 5

• Become less robust over time
• Subject in some cases to Allen’s and Bergman’s rules
• In developed nations: Increased in stature and body mass

Question 6

Folate

Answer 6

A nutrient important in DNA repair, nucleic acid synthesis, and cell division (e.g, spermatogenesis), and thus reproductive success.
-Darker skin in lower lattitudes offers protection from UV damage

Question 7

Blood Group Variation

Answer 7

• some blood types appear to be associated with disease resistance or disease susceptibility
• the distribution of blood types is also due to Founders’ Effect and genetic drift (i.e. colonizing Americas)
• the malarial context is especially notable for natural selection on blood types (balanced polymorphism)

Question 8

Acclimation

Answer 8

Short-term changes that occur when exposed to stress (e.g. sweating when hot)

Question 9

Acclimatization

Answer 9

Physiological changes that require days to months to develop (e.g., increase in red blood cells after moving to high-altitude)

Question 10

Developmental Acclimatization

Answer 10

Changes that occur during the growth of an individual (e.g., larger chest size in high-altitudes)

Question 11

Acclimation in cold stress

Answer 11

• vasoconstriction: constriction of blood vessels reduces blood flow and heat loss
• vasodilation: opening of blood vessels increases blood flow and heat loss
-Physiological response

Question 12

Acclimation in heat stress

Answer 12

• radiation: body radiates heat but also picks up heat from other objects
• convection: heat exchange by contact, e.g., with clothing or the ground
• evaporation: sweating
• vasodilation

Question 13

High-altitude hypoxia

Answer 13

With low pressure at high-altitude, the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood cells is too low to allow oxygen to diffuse into the tissues unless there are special physiological adjustments /adaptations

Question 14

Developmental Acclimitization for high-altitude hypoxia:

Answer 14

Individuals born or brought early into high-altitudes develop:

• Larger chest circumference
• Greater lung volume
• Shorter stature

Question 15

Modernization and Obesity

Answer 15

• changes in diet combined with a more sedentary lifestyle

* serious health problems (i.e. increased obesity)

Question 16

Modernization and Blood Pressure

Answer 16

• blood pressure higher in modernized populations & increases with age
• blood pressure lower in traditional societies & does not increase with age