Human Variation

High levels of solar radiation as long with low levels of solar radiation can be harmful to the human body. Overexposure of UVB rays can penetrate the skin and affect the DNA which may lead to skin cancer. On the other hand, inadequate amounts of UVB rays can lead to deficiency of Vitamin D which can contribute to high blood pressure, fatigue, and bone problems.

There are no short term adaptations our bodies have to help protect ourselves from high levels of solar radiation. If you sit out in the direct sunlight for too long, you more than likely get a sunburn. Although, some individuals may feel the heat of the sun on their skin and leave, this does not qualify as a short term adaptation because our bodies do not do it naturally.

 A facultative adaptation humans have regarding high levels of solar radiation has to do with melatonin. Melatonin is a contributing factor to skin tone, when skin is exposed to high levels of solar radiation for a good amount of time then melatonin production increases which makes the skin tone darker. This happens when people go tanning. For many people, their skin tone changes depending on whether they have been exposed to high levels or low levels of radiation for a period of time (ie. summer and winter.)
This facultative adaption leads to developmental change. Individuals who live in warmer tropical climates tend to wear less clothes because of the heat. They in turn, have a darker skin tone since more of their skin is exposed to the sun. This is due to high levels of solar radiation which in turn increases melatonin production. Throughout generations, the cells will continue to adapt and increase melatonin so the individuals are less likely to be sunburned or develop skin cancer. The same developmental change is seen in individuals who live in colder climates. Obviously, they wear more layers of clothing due to the cold and are not exposed to high levels of solar radiation, so they have a fairer skin tone.

There are many examples of cultural adaptions to high levels of solar radiation. Individuals are able to protect themselves from the sun, ie. umbrellas, clothing, hats, and shelter. There is also sunscreen, however it doesn't one hundred percent protect us from the UVB rays. Sunscreen just allows us to stay in the sun for a longer amount of time without the worry of being sunburned.

The benefit of studying human variation across environmental clines is learning that not everyone reacts or adjusts the same way as everyone else. We get to see how people from different areas react to the same environmental changes. Information from explorations like these can help us understand better how individuals adapt to changes. Not every person will adjust the same because there are people with different environments than one another. This information can be used in a productive way by learning that some people are better adapted to high levels of solar radiation than others.

We use race to understand the variations of adaptions of high levels of solar radiation because there are certain races that are better adapted to the high levels of solar radiation. For example, the races living in tropical climates usually have darker skin tones since they have adapted to the high levels of solar radiation. However, the study of environmental influences on adaptions is a better way to understand human variation. We cannot expect to see a whole race react the same way to and environmental change. It is based on the individual and where they are on how one adapts.

Language Post

Part 1:

• This experiment was easier than I thought it was going to be.
• My partner did not seem to notice at first, until it was my turn to speak and I started to use my hands and facial expressions without speakin. My partner was confused at first, but then understood how I was trying to communicate to her. They spoke a bit slower and tried their hardest to understand my gestures.
• The culture that speaks would have a better advantage on communicating a complex idea. They obviously can use their words and hand gestures/facial expressions to express their ideas. The non-symbolic using culture would be able to communicate, but I believe they would not effectively be able to express themselves. Their are individuals whom are born mute or deaf and are not able to use symbolic language. They have to find different ways to communicate effectively and the people around them (if they want to) need to find different ways to communicate as well.

Part 2:

• I was not able to last the whole fifteen minutes with only using speech to communicate. After what seemed to be only five minutes, I found myself boring. I also think my partner was a bit bored because of my monotone voice and lack of enthusiasm. It was hard for both of us to carry on the conversation.
• My partner was affected greatly. At first, they were able to keep the conversation with me but after awhile they lost interest in the conversation. They found it hard to concentrate and pay attention to what I was saying.
• Our use of "signs" in language is very important. Our gestures help us communicate effectively and help us express ourselves effectively. Without it, I don't think that people would talk much.
• I believe that people who grew up isolated may have trouble reading body language. Being able to read body language is very beneficial. We can pick up on hints without having to be told them. For example, sometimes we can tell if someone is lying or if they just don't want to talk to us. In some environmental conditions where their are life threatening situations it may be beneficial to not be able to read body language. You may keep yourself safe if someone who is trying to hurt you cannot pick up on clues of you trying to escape or get help.