Chapter 13: Physical Health

Question 1

What is melanin? (2)

Answer 1

1. The primary determinant of human skin color. 2. Protects against high exposure to the sun.

Question 2

What can sunlight do to the body? (2)

Answer 2

1. Can cause the breakdown of folic acid, leading to skin cancer. 2. Synthesize vitamin D.

Question 3

When does deeply melanized skin become mal-adaptive?

Answer 3

When there is not much sunlight.

Question 4

Describe the results of the study done by Jablonski and Chaplin on melanin.

Answer 4

People close to equator had more UV radiation and higher skin reflectance (darker skin).

Question 5

Describe the results of the study conducted by Holden and Mace on lactase persistence.

Answer 5

Found a correlation of -.66 to about -.46 between lactase persistence and dairy farming.

Question 6

What is 2 and 7 repeats version of the Dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) associated with? (2)

Answer 6

1. Higher dopamine signaling capacity and sensitivity to reward and punishment. 2. Learn cultural norms better and show more culturally dominant social orientation compared to individuals without the repeats.

Question 7

Describe the study done by Kitayama et al. on the DRD4 gene. (4)

Answer 7

1. Measured social orientation index and the allele of the DRD4 gene. 2. Found that EAs with 2R/7R are more independent than those with other variation. 3. Also found that Asians with 2R/7R were more interdependent than those with other allele. 4. Showed culturally dominant way of thinking more.

Question 8

What is the French Paradox? (3)

Answer 8

1. Low rates of heart disease. 2. A diet rich in fat. 3. Less consumption of fat-reduced foods.

Question 9

Describe the results of the first study done by Rozin and colleagues on portion size and time spent eating in U.S. and France. (2)

Answer 9

1. Philadelphia portion sizes were larger in Paris. 2. People in Paris spend more time eating than Americans.

Question 10

Describe the results of the second study done by Rozin and colleagues on attitudes towards food across cultures. (5)

Answer 10

1. U.S. ate more foods modified to be healthier. U.S. worried more about food. 3. Other countries thought of food as a positive force in life. 4. No difference in diet-health link. 5. Other countries think of their diet as healthy more.

Question 11

What is the summary of the Rozin and colleagues study (food attitudes)? (3)

Answer 11

1. Americans are the most food-health oriented. 2. French are the most food-pleasure oriented. 3. Females showed attitudes similar to American pattern than males did.

Question 12

What does vitamin D do?

Answer 12

Allows the intestines to absorb calcium and phosphorus from food to use for bone growth and repair.

Question 13

Being able to more clearly see underwater via maximal pupil constriction is likely due to what?

Answer 13

Due to cultural norms/experiences such as having to see in the water in order to get food.