Anthropology Variation in Skin Color - 2669 Words

Old Dominion University Human Adaptation and Variation Alyssa Carlson 01005378 ANTR 110S_10772 Dr. Elva Smith 24 November 2014 Human biological diversity encompasses much more than the characteristics seen by the naked eye. Our species walked new and unique paths to arrive at our present existence. Our journey resulted in the achievement of many innovative and unique physiognomies allowing us to survive and reproduce. What characteristics have our species evolved and which most greatly shaped our evolution by conferring additional advantages in survivorship? Although there are many remarkable characteristics that have evolved the most striking†¦show more content†¦We can acclimatize to a wide range of temperature and humidity. The nature of skin color distribution suggests an association with environmental factors varying with latitude. The association between dark skin color and a tropical habitat existed throughout the Old World due to the majority of the world’s dark skinned population residing in the tropics. The tropics are 23 degrees north and south of the equator. Huma ns and their ancestors have been inhabitants of that land for thousands of years until migration to all corners of the globe started to occur. As migration continued so did natural selection. Outside of the tropics, in locations such as the poles, skin variation is different due to the lack of sun and is quite obvious. Adaptation to lighter pigmentation may have been driven by a need to increase UV absorption for vitamin D synthesis at high latitudes. In addition, the pigment of the poles inhabitants did not change rapidly. Instead it was done by becoming acclimated to the environment. Acclimatization is another kind of physiological response to environmental conditions, and it can be short-term, long-term, or even permanent. Acclimatization is the physiological responses to changes in the environment that occur during an individual’s lifetime. These responses to environmental factors are partially influenced by genes, but some can also be affected by the duration and sever ity of the exposure. AfterShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Evolution of Human Skin Color1019 Words   |  5 Pagesworld, humans have significantly changed overtime and have developed all sorts of diverse characteristics. One noticeable characteristic of human beings is the variation of skin color. Skin color has been used to identify, classify, and verify the variation that exists in the human population around the world. How did such a distinct variation arise and how did it play into adaptation? I’ve often heard that â€Å"humans came from monkeys,† or something similar. It is true that humans’ ancestors were primatesRead MoreAnatomically Modern Humans968 Words   |  4 Pageshumans were found in more than one location across the globe (Europe, Asia and Africa) which has led scientists to formulate two different theories as to why this is. The first is the regional continuity model and the replacement model (with some variations on this model). The multiregional continuity model says that the earliest H. sapiens in the Pleistocene didnt originate only in Africa and also says that as a result of â€Å"gene flow† the early population spread out geographically. Because of naturalRead MoreIndian Skin Pigmentation Of India743 Words   |  3 PagesSarkar and Nandineni undertook this study to better understand and document the genotype-phenotype associations for skin pigmentation in Indians. They found that many similar studies were being done in E uropean populations, but not South Asian populations. 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