Human Variation and Race Blog
COLD:
A normal human body temperature is 98.6 degrees. When the human body is exposed to extremely cold climates it must be able to retain heat or increase heat production, if not the result could be deadly. Hypothermia begins when the body temperature drops to 94 degrees and if the body’s core temperature continues to drop, it could eventually lead to death. This environmental stress negatively impacts the survival of humans by disturbing homeostasis.
4 Ways Humans Have Adapted :
Short Term – The body has adapted to staying warm by shivering, increased muscle
activity produces body heat.
Developmental – Body size and shape in cold environments has
evolved. According to Bergmann’s and
Allen’s rule a stocky body with short appendages is more adaptive in cold
environments. This allows the body to retain heat and minimize heat loss.
Cultural – Some people drink alcohol to stay warm but a more effective way
humans have adapted to the cold is by wearing insulated clothing, staying indoors,
or warming up next to the fireplace.
Studying human
variation from this perspective across environmental clines can help us
understand how people survive in these environmental stresses. By studying how particular traits are
expressed in certain environments can help prepare us when entering a new
environment. For example, we know that
when we are in cold climates we have to maintain a normal body temperature and
prevent hypothermia. In order to do this
we wear insulated clothing, build a fire or stay indoors.
I
would not use race as a tool to understand human variation. Race is not a tool it is an idea. The study of environmental influences on
adaptations is a better way to understand human variation than by the use of
race because it can help people understand the differences of people as a whole
rather than a specific group. We are all
human and we can all freeze to death in extremely cold climates, the color of your skin will not matter.
First thing I noticed about your post was how great it looks! It's wayyy better than mine, that's for sure. Second, your information is excellent. Easy to understand, comprehensive and very organized. I also thought you did the best job explaining how studying human variation from the perspective of environmental clines is helpful. I had a hard time explaining that segment of the project. Obviously I'm no expert, but I think you did a great job!
ReplyDeleteVery clear explanation on the problems with cold stress and its impact on homeostasis.
ReplyDeleteWonderful explanations on all four of your adaptations. I appreciated the detail on the alternative vasodilation/vasoconstriction and your acknowledgement of Bergmann's and Allen's rules.
Good explanation on the productive use of information gained from the adaptive approach.
"Race is not a tool it is an idea."
Okay.... But to be more specific and precise, even as an idea, race has no basis in biology. It is a social construct and therefore cannot be used to help explain biological human variation.
Yes, I completely understand. I guess I never really finished my thought.
DeleteIt is a difficult concept to express. It is easy to explain why the adaptive approach has explanatory value. It is harder to explain why race does not, especially since we are so used to using the term casually.
DeleteYour blog looks great for one, it was clear and concise for me to understand,Good job stressing how insulated clothing plays a big part in humans staying warm when out in the cold. I didn't know that shivering was a way for the body to heat up, i took it as you just being too cold and it just time to take shelter inside
ReplyDelete