Human Variation and Race

Question 1

Definition of subspecies

Answer 1

phenotypically distinguishable populations that are geographically or ecologically separated

Question 2

What criteria are used to categorize race?

Answer 2

Differs in different cultures, usually independent of ancesty

Question 3

Describe the heritability of skin color?

Answer 3

Skin color is highly heritable (.83) with many alleles having an effect on skin color

Question 4

What percent of skin color variation accounts for a person ancestry?

Answer 4

4-36%

Question 5

Even though color of skin is not hugely determined by ancestry does color of skin effect other variation?

Answer 5

–Tay-Sachs disease
• 1 in 30 Ashkenazi Jews are carriers
–Cystic Fibrosis
• 1:25 N. Europeans are carriers
–Sickle cell anemia
• 1 in 12 African Americans are carriers

Question 6

Is genetic variation in within regions or between regions?

Answer 6

Actually most variation is WITHIN populations

Question 7

Explain the quotation “We are all africans”

Answer 7

All genetic variation in the population is a subset of variation within Africa

Question 8

Can you infer ancestry or geography based on a persons genotype?

Answer 8

Only geography of their ancestors

Question 9

What is variation within africa like?

Answer 9

The most variation in the world can be found in Africa