Please
address each question and submit the completed worksheet to the Unit 2
Assignment Dropbox when completed.
Part I:
Humans are the only mammals to have lived in the most
extreme environments from remote islands, to deserts, and high mountains. For
over 1,000 years the Bajau people, often referred to as sea nomads, have lived
an almost entirely marine-dependent existence, gathering food and resources by
freediving up to 230 feet without an oxygen tank. These freedivers spend
approximately 60% of their working time under water. Scientists sought to
determine whether the Bajau’s freediving abilities were the result of natural
selection for certain genetic adaptations or if these abilities were due to
practice and training within the Bajau’s culture during an individual’s
lifetime. They designed an experiment comparing the Bajau to the Saluan, a
nearby population that does not traditionally freedive. Scientists found that
the Bajau had significantly larger spleens than the Saluan, even in individuals
who were not freedivers. Watch the following video or review the following
article:
●
Ilardo, M., Moltke, I.,
Korneliussen, S., et. al. (2018, April 19). Physiological and genetic adaptations to diving in sea
nomads. Cell, 173(3).
https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(18)30386-6
Then, address the following questions.
Why do you
think scientists measured spleen size? Based on the reading, what role do
you think the spleen plays in an individual’s ability to dive? Be specific
in your answers and ensure that you are answering both questions.
Answer Here
Give an
example of a more specific, testable hypothesis for the larger spleen size
and how it may contribute to the extraordinary diving abilities of the
Bajau.
Answer Here
Part
II: List the physical evidence of evolution
discussed in your textbook, Biology of Humans. Then, choose ONE of these and summarize it in
your own words. The summary should be at least 50 words.
Answer
Here
Part
III: Exploring your ecosystem. Look around your home
or community and identify some of the biotic and abiotic factors within the
ecosystem. List three biotic (living) and three abiotic factors in your
environment. What are the specific characteristics of living things? Select one
of the biotic organisms in your list and describe why it is biotic, ensuring
that you apply each of the characteristics of life discussed in Unit 1.
Answer
Here
Part
IV: During this week, you reviewed the characteristics
of living things and the characteristics of our species, Homo sapiens. As we have learned, humans have biological (e.g.,
increase lung capacity) and cultural adaptations (e.g., using pots to cook
food) that enable them to survive in
even remote areas of our planet.
Describe one
cultural and one biological adaptation exhibited by humans where you live.
Answer Here
What
cultural challenges might you face if you had to live among the Bajau? How
might someone overcome some of the challenges listed in your response?
Answer Here
References: (Note: Please provide references to any sources you consult,
including your textbook. Please review APA-formatting guidelines and ensure
that your references are properly formatted. Visit our Writing Center for additional help.)
