In chapters 15 and 16 you have been reading about microevolution (genetic change

Question

In chapters 15 and 16 you have been reading about microevolution (genetic change in populations over generations) and about plasticity (the ability 10 respond physiologically or developmentally to environmental stress). Microevolution involves actual genetic change that gets passed on over generations, while plasticity is change that occurs to an individual during his/her lifetime, and does not get passed on. For this assignment, you will design a population that live in a mountainous region at an altitude of 12,000 feet above sea level. For instance, the Inca Empire also had a portion of the population who lived in similar circumstances. What are at least two environmental stresses that would affect this population at this high altitude? Consider what you've read in ch. 15 and 16. Consider the effects of high altitude, Bergmann/Allen, nutrition, etc. What characteristics do you think the members of this population, in this specific environment described above, would be likely to have, in terms of body size/shape: skin color: other genetic and developmental characteristics:

Explanation / Answer

1. What are the environmental stresses that would affect this population at high altitude?

Two environmental stresses that occur at high altitude include high altitude hypoxia, and lower temperature. The atmospheric pressure of oxygen decreases at high altitudes. People living at high altitudes, he is adapted to lower PO2 levels. One of the key change observed in this adaptation is increased 2,3-BPG (2,3- bisphosphoglycerate), which shift P50 to higher values. Temperature also decreases at high altitudes; this is countered by the accumulation of subcutaneous fat.

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