Is human evolution speeding up or slowing down? - Laurence Hurst
TED-Ed・2 minutes read
Tibetan natives and other populations have genetic adaptations for survival in extreme conditions, such as enhanced oxygen utilization and increased birth weights. Despite modern medicine's impact on natural selection, genetic drift and epigenetic modifications continue to shape human evolution through various factors.
Insights
- Tibetan natives exhibit genetic adaptations for high-altitude living, showing enhanced oxygen utilization from birth, leading to higher birth weights, oxygen levels, and survival rates compared to others in similar environments.
- Different populations, such as the Bajau people and communities in specific regions, have evolved genetic traits for survival in extreme conditions, like enlarged spleens for deep-sea diving or DNA variants for continued milk digestion, showcasing diverse human adaptations beyond natural selection, influenced by factors like modern medicine and epigenetic modifications.
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Recent questions
How do Tibetan natives adapt to high altitudes?
Tibetan natives have genetic adaptations that enhance oxygen utilization, allowing them to thrive at high altitudes. These changes are evident from birth, with Tibetan babies displaying higher birth weights, oxygen saturation, and survival rates compared to others in similar environments.
What genetic traits help populations survive extreme conditions?
Various populations, like the Bajau people and communities in certain regions, have evolved genetic traits to survive extreme conditions. For example, the Bajau people have enlarged spleens for increased oxygen storage during deep-sea diving, while others have DNA variants enabling continued milk digestion, possibly aiding in calcium absorption for vitamin D production.
How has modern medicine impacted natural selection?
Modern medicine has lessened the impact of natural selection by keeping individuals alive despite genetic predispositions. While this has reduced the influence of natural selection, it has also introduced genetic drift, potentially increasing genetic diversity among populations.
What factors influence human evolution beyond natural selection?
Researchers are exploring the role of epigenetic modifications in rapid adaptations, highlighting the ongoing complexity of human evolution influenced by various factors beyond natural selection. Factors such as genetic drift and modern medicine play a role in shaping human genetic diversity and adaptation.
What are some examples of genetic adaptations in different populations?
Different populations have evolved genetic adaptations to survive in specific environments. For instance, Tibetan natives have genetic changes that enhance oxygen utilization at high altitudes, while the Bajau people have enlarged spleens for deep-sea diving. These examples showcase the diverse ways in which genetic traits have evolved to help populations thrive in extreme conditions.
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Summary
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Genetic Adaptations for Survival in Extreme Environments
- Tibetan natives have genetic adaptations that allow them to thrive at high altitudes, with changes in genes enhancing oxygen utilization. These genetic differences are evident from birth, with Tibetan babies displaying higher birth weights, oxygen saturation, and survival rates compared to others in the same environment.
- Various populations, like those in Siberia and southeast Asia, have evolved genetic traits to survive extreme conditions. For instance, the Bajau people have enlarged spleens for increased oxygen storage during deep-sea diving, while communities in certain regions have developed DNA variants enabling continued milk digestion, possibly aiding in calcium absorption for vitamin D production.
- While modern medicine has lessened the impact of natural selection by keeping individuals alive despite genetic predispositions, it also introduces genetic drift, potentially increasing genetic diversity. Researchers are exploring the role of epigenetic modifications in rapid adaptations, highlighting the ongoing complexity of human evolution influenced by various factors beyond natural selection.
