The stress of high solar radiation

1.   Select only ONE of the following environmental stresses: (a) heat, (b) high levels of solar radiation, (c) cold, or (d) high altitude. Discuss specifically how this environmental stress negatively impacts the survival of humans by disturbing homeostasis. 

High levels of solar radiation can really hurt the human body. Extremely high solar levels can lead to quick acting damages such as dehydration. When the human body overheats it beings to sweat to try and cool off. This short term adaptation may help for a while but with extreme levels the sweat begins to evaporate just as quickly as it comes out of the pores, ultimately leaving the body no choice but to shut down. A long term damage that is received from high solar levels is skin cancer. The body again try to maintain homeostasis by creating melanin protect against the harmful levels, but over exposure can cause mutations in the skin cells leading to cancer and eventually ( if untreated ) death.

2. Identify 4 ways in which humans have adapted to this stress, choosing one specific adaptation from each of the different types of adaptations listed above (short term, facultative, developmental and cultural). Include images of the adaptations. 

• Short term adaptation - extreme solar levels would cause the body to sweat to maintain homeostasis

             Facultative adaptation - the skin would temporarily get darker to prevent permanent                                                                            damage. i.e. sun burn 

             Developmental adaptation - the body would create sufficient amounts of melanin   making the skin permanently dark while staying very close to or at homeostasis

             Cultural adaptation - residents of these areas would wear pieces of clothing that would help keep them cool ( shorts, tank tops, hats , sandals) they would also wear sunscreen to avoid harmful damage and take trips to the beach

3. What are the benefits of studying human variation from this perspective across environmental clines? Can information from explorations like this be useful to help us in any way? Offer one example of how this information can be used in a productive way. 

Having this information breaks down the reason why there are many unique people all over this planet. It gives insight that we are all human, that something as minute as skin pigmentation shouldn't make a difference in how we see or treat each other. The most influential way to use this information is to pass it on to others more so the younger generation. All the violence and crime committed over our bodies overcoming and adapting to environmental stressors isn't necessary. This shows just how strong and able our bodies can be and we should be helping each other grow stronger.

4. How would you use race to understand the variation of the adaptations you listed in #2? Explain why the study of environmental influences on adaptations is a better way to understand human variation than by the use of race. 

 I believe that there is a bit of confusion/ misuse of the word race. In some instances when asking someone about their ethnicity the respond "oh you mean my race?". People come from all parts of the world looking as uniquely as the do because of these environmental adaptations. By understanding who these adaptations work you can explain that skin pigmentation happens for the protection of the body against extreme hot or cold temperatures. Simply put, adaptation will tell you the story of how they came to overcome such pressures and we can let ethnicity tell its own.

The Piltdown Hoax

The Piltdown Hoax

The Piltdown Hoax was an event that made scientists and paleontologists more aware of new information that is presented to them. Although the scientific method has been around for some time its important to know that technology has a big part to play in finding out not only new but accurate information. This new technology was the reason that the Piltdown Hoax was exactly that, a Hoax. In 1912 in the city of Piltdown a man was excavating in a gravel pit and discovered what was presumed ancient fossils. This amateur archeologist was named Charles Dawson. He and a well renown geologist named Arthur Smith Woodward had come upon a human skull and later part of a jaw bone. He claimed it would be the piece of evidence we needed in order to prove that humans did come from apes. 

At that point in time there was again very little technological advances so how would one be able to prove or disprove that these fossils indeed were accurate to what Dawson stated? The answer is, there was no way. In those days people looked up to scientists they had a sort of certification or authority and no one questioned a thing. It wasn't until after World War II that the technology got more advanced. They used the florine deposits left on fossils and could roughly determine their time frame. This allowed scientists to find discrepancies in Dawsons discovery. They soon found that the fossils were from a very recent time, various superficial and manmade markings, and most importantly the jaw bone was missing pieces that would have indicated that it was not part of the skull at all.

It is imperative that we continue to improve our technology so that we can keep catching errors like this when they arise again. As humans we tend to make errors and some of us let the power go to our head wanting to become the next big thing or next talked about item but we must remain honest. We can always go back to the scientific method if our technology runs down or breaks but we must always keep respect for the truth. You can try to fool the world but the world will always prove the truth.

There are many species all over the globe some different and some similar. What makes these species similar isn't always a common trait but a common ancestor. For example the species Canis also known as the Dog shares a common trait with the Delphinus or the Dolphin. The trait they share is the composition of the fore limb. They both have a humerus, ulna, radius, and carpals but they are not the same size nor are they used in the same way. In the dolphin these bones are much thicker and shorter allowing the dolphin more power and speed through the water but resulting in making this a specialized trait. For the dog these bones are much longer and thinner allowing the dog to dig and hold things down making a generalized trait.

Now heres an example in which two species share the same. Trait but do not have a common ancestor. Take the Homo Sapien also known as Humans and the Hapalochlaena Lunulata better known as the Blue Ringed Octopus or BRO for short.The trait that we share with the BRO is our eye structure, more specifically our vision. Our eye has been transformed to have stereoscopic vision meaning to see in three dimensions. The BRO also has this visual advantage. It uses it just in the same way we do to look past or around objects. Although there is no common ancestor for us and our bro the BRO it is estimated that this particular trait showed up around 500 MYA.

If I were stranded...

If I was to be stranded on a desert island I would take a magnifying glass and Swiss army knife. The magnifying glass would be very useful for helping to start a fire or even reflect off light to any possible planes passing by. The Swiss army knife would help in cutting things to make shelter and even protect me if needed.