Chapter 5: Biology in the Present: Living People Flashcards
Why was Christopher Columbus so bad?
World’s largest mass genocide
Blumenbach’s Skulls
(1753-1840) Examined skulls to find similarities and differences
Typological Classification of “fixed races”
Franz Boas and the Race Concept
Tested 18,000 immigrant families with the cephalic index which measured the length/breadth of skulls, didn’t find distinctions across races
R.C. Lewontin and the Race Concept
Tested genetic variation in blood types, serum proteins, red blood cell enzymes
Cline
gradual changes of genetic variation across a geological line
4 stages of life
fertilization prenatal stage (development in womb) postnatal stage (birth to adulthood) -neonatal, lactation, infancy, childhood, juvenile, puberty, adolescence adult stage
Prenatal Health and David Barker
stressors to mother can affect cortisol levels and happiness of child, higher birth weights are lower mortality (David Barker)
Rate of development from fast to slow
brain, dentition, body, reproductive system
Diaphysis
shafts of long bones
Epiphysis
end caps of long bones
growth plate
cartilaginous region in small space between epiphysis and diaphysis, fuses at full growth and are full of stem cells.
Secular Trends and example
long term trends- during 1830-80, industrialization led to poor nutrition and shorter heights, average height increased with increase in sanitation and nutrition during 20th century
Aging
process of maturation in organisms
Senescence
biological changes in later adulthood
Menopause
cessation of menstruation and child bearing ability, loss of estrogen
Grandmother effect
long post menopause life, want to nurture children
homeostasis
internal environment is kept in balance
Anthropometry
height, weight, and arm circumference of children and adults
4 Levels of Adaptation
Genetic
Developmental (ontogenetic) formation of genes
Acclimatization (physiological) adaptation to new environment
Cultural (clothing and shelter
Functional Adaptations
occurs over life time, increasing fitness of individual
Bergmann and Allen’s Rules
Hot climates-taller, leaner bodies, longer arms
Cold climates-shorter, more wide bodies, shorter arms
Vasodilation
widening of blood vessels to dissipate heat, they get bigger and flow more blood, when you’re hot
Sweating and hairlessness
evaporative cooling and free air flow to dissipate heat
Homeothermic
body temperature self-regulation
Vasoconstriction
narrowing of blood vessels to slow heat loss in body core, when you’re cold and sacrifice surface temperature
Shivering
heat generation through rapid muscular contraction
Basal Metabolic Rate
BMR, high for people in cold environments. low for people in hot environments
Melanocyte
cells that produce dark pigmentation (melanosomes), more = darker skin
Skin reflection
amount of light reflected, varies with melanin, greater at poles and less at equator
UV stimulates…
UV depletes…
…stimulates synthesis of Vitamin D
…depletes folic acids which aid DNA synthesis and spinal development leads to Rickets
High altitudes result in
low oxygen levels and physiological adaptations take place, like larger lung volume and chest capacity
Hypoxia
reduced levels of oxygen in the body, results in nausea, headache, loss of appetite, short breath
Macronutrients v. micronutrients
macro- proteins, carbs, fats
micro- vitamans, not minerals
Basal Metabolic Requirement
bare minimum energy (food) required to keep organisms alive
Total Daily Energy Expenditure
calories used by organisms in 24 hours for exercise, thermoregulation, growth and reproduction
Hypercholesterolemia
High density lipid cholesterol (high cholesterol)
Rigidity
strength of bone to resist bending and torsion
Bone mass
Density of bone per unit volume
osteoblasts
precursor cells responsible for bone formation (osteocytes)
osteoclasts
cells resorbing bone material in response to low activity, cleaning crew
Wolff’s Law
bone laid in direction of demand, recedes where there is a lack of demand
