Chapter 5: Biology in the Present: Living People

Question 1

Why was Christopher Columbus so bad?

Answer 1

World’s largest mass genocide

Question 2

Blumenbach’s Skulls

Answer 2

(1753-1840) Examined skulls to find similarities and differences
Typological Classification of “fixed races”

Question 3

Franz Boas and the Race Concept

Answer 3

Tested 18,000 immigrant families with the cephalic index which measured the length/breadth of skulls, didn’t find distinctions across races

Question 4

R.C. Lewontin and the Race Concept

Answer 4

Tested genetic variation in blood types, serum proteins, red blood cell enzymes

Question 5

Cline

Answer 5

gradual changes of genetic variation across a geological line

Question 6

4 stages of life

Answer 6

fertilization
prenatal stage (development in womb)
postnatal stage (birth to adulthood)
-neonatal, lactation, infancy, childhood, juvenile, puberty, adolescence
adult stage

Question 7

Prenatal Health and David Barker

Answer 7

stressors to mother can affect cortisol levels and happiness of child, higher birth weights are lower mortality (David Barker)

Question 8

Rate of development from fast to slow

Answer 8

brain, dentition, body, reproductive system

Question 9

Diaphysis

Answer 9

shafts of long bones

Question 10

Epiphysis

Answer 10

end caps of long bones

Question 11

growth plate

Answer 11

cartilaginous region in small space between epiphysis and diaphysis, fuses at full growth and are full of stem cells.

Question 12

Secular Trends and example

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Aging

Answer 13

process of maturation in organisms

Question 14

Senescence

Answer 14

biological changes in later adulthood

Question 15

Menopause

Answer 15

cessation of menstruation and child bearing ability, loss of estrogen

Question 16

Grandmother effect

Answer 16

long post menopause life, want to nurture children

Question 17

homeostasis

Answer 17

internal environment is kept in balance

Question 18

Anthropometry

Answer 18

height, weight, and arm circumference of children and adults

Question 19

4 Levels of Adaptation

Answer 19

Genetic
Developmental (ontogenetic) formation of genes
Acclimatization (physiological) adaptation to new environment
Cultural (clothing and shelter

Question 20

Functional Adaptations

Answer 20

occurs over life time, increasing fitness of individual

Question 21

Bergmann and Allen’s Rules

Answer 21

Hot climates-taller, leaner bodies, longer arms

Cold climates-shorter, more wide bodies, shorter arms

Question 22

Vasodilation

Answer 22

widening of blood vessels to dissipate heat, they get bigger and flow more blood, when you’re hot

Question 23

Sweating and hairlessness

Answer 23

evaporative cooling and free air flow to dissipate heat

Question 24

Homeothermic

Answer 24

body temperature self-regulation

Question 25

Vasoconstriction

Answer 25

narrowing of blood vessels to slow heat loss in body core, when you’re cold and sacrifice surface temperature

Question 26

Shivering

Answer 26

heat generation through rapid muscular contraction

Question 27

Basal Metabolic Rate

Answer 27

BMR, high for people in cold environments. low for people in hot environments

Question 28

Melanocyte

Answer 28

cells that produce dark pigmentation (melanosomes), more = darker skin

Question 29

Skin reflection

Answer 29

amount of light reflected, varies with melanin, greater at poles and less at equator

Question 30

UV stimulates…

UV depletes…

Answer 30

…stimulates synthesis of Vitamin D

…depletes folic acids which aid DNA synthesis and spinal development leads to Rickets

Question 31

High altitudes result in

Answer 31

low oxygen levels and physiological adaptations take place, like larger lung volume and chest capacity

Question 32

Hypoxia

Answer 32

reduced levels of oxygen in the body, results in nausea, headache, loss of appetite, short breath

Question 33

Macronutrients v. micronutrients

Answer 33

macro- proteins, carbs, fats

micro- vitamans, not minerals

Question 34

Basal Metabolic Requirement

Answer 34

bare minimum energy (food) required to keep organisms alive

Question 35

Total Daily Energy Expenditure

Answer 35

calories used by organisms in 24 hours for exercise, thermoregulation, growth and reproduction

Question 36

Hypercholesterolemia

Answer 36

High density lipid cholesterol (high cholesterol)

Question 37

Rigidity

Answer 37

strength of bone to resist bending and torsion

Question 38

Bone mass

Answer 38

Density of bone per unit volume

Question 39

osteoblasts

Answer 39

precursor cells responsible for bone formation (osteocytes)

Question 40

osteoclasts

Answer 40

cells resorbing bone material in response to low activity, cleaning crew

Question 41

Wolff’s Law

Answer 41

bone laid in direction of demand, recedes where there is a lack of demand