1. 1. High levels of radiation disturb homeostasis, or the, “balance, or stability, within a biological system,” by triggering the pigment melanin within a human’s skin (450). Overexposure can lead to mutations of skin cells that can cause cancer. High levels of radiation ultimately cause increases in the production of melanin, except in albinos. Also, these high levels deplete folate, a B vitamin used for developmental processes, which can result in serious fetal neural tube disorders, such as spina bifida.
2. Cultural adaptations to the stress of high levels of radiation include:
a. To cover exposed areas with clothing, sunglasses, or hats
3. One main benefit to studying this across different clines is to see the patterns of how humans react to these environmental stressors. This is helpful to understand and gain more knowledge of our species. One way this could benefit us is by studying the patterns and correlations between melanin, location, and uv exposure to gain more knowledge about skin cancer.
4. According to the textbook, race refers to the, “geographically patterned variation within a species” (426). Knowing this it is easier and more understandable to study human variation by looking at the environmental influences on adaptations because in different areas of the world, there will be different adaptations to different environments. Essentially, it is easier to study the variation of adaptations through geographically different areas, rather than different races. Although one could use race to understand different adaptations, it is better to use environmental influences to understand this.
Daryl Barry, Very great and interesting post I must admit it caught my attention with your pictures. The first picture of the model was cool seeing compared to other pictures, also the house picture was a nice house I wish i lived in that living room. Did you also know that high levels of radiation can also cause a very high doses of radiation that will cause massive organ and tissue damage which is too extensive for the body to repair. The sickness is often extremely painful and unpleasant, and it leads to death. At lower doses, radiation may cause damage on a more subtle level, and the damage may manifest as cancer or through birth defects caused by damage to reproductive tissues later in life. Some cells are especially vulnerable to radiation damage, especially cells which multiply rapidly, this is also why pregnant women need to be careful around sources of radiation, as it can damage the developing fetus.
ReplyDeleteI did like how you mentioned "overexposure can lead to mutations of skin cells that can cause cancer" and also what i mentioned above.
Great Job,
Thanks.
Is it really possible to understand human variation through race? Race is purely descriptive and categorized humans. It doesn't explain.
ReplyDeleteGood discussion on the benefits of clinal analysis and the cultural adaptations to solar stress. Missing the short term, facultative and developmental adaptations, however.
Great Post. I enjoyed the pictures that went along with your answers. It was interesting to understand as to how certain pigmentation of one's skin causes or helps where you may be exposed or underexposed to the sun. The use of sunblock just like in your example is a huge adaption that we as humans have used. However, I think that many still go without protection form sun especially in southern California due to the liking of being tan or darker. Good Job.
ReplyDeletethe question regarding race was a really tricky one i think. Im sure for different environmental stresses the need to classify people by race and take that into consideration might have been important. I chose heat for mine and couldnt really think of a reason why we would need to know that. especially since we havent found a fossilized human perfectly preserved so we could tell what color their skin actually was. what if people were purple or something...that'd be intense. anyway i really enjoyed your post i thought that the pictures were a nice touch and i felt well educated after reading this.
ReplyDelete