Genetics and Environment
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Individual development is determined
genetically ( examine process from birth to
adolescence to adulthood)
All humans go through the genetic cycle of
cell development and division
Genes are programmed at birth to initiate all
stages of physical, mental, and emotional
development.
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Anthropologist's believe that there are slight
environmental factors that can contribute to
slight variations in the genetic program.
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Humans and animals had to adapt to there
surroundings when faced with a new
environment. These adjustments were not
genetic but environmental.
(ie. Adapt shelters, food, tools)
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Behavioural Adjustments: Are cultural
responses to the environmental stresses.
People are forced to adjust to their
environment
▪ People in the north adjust to the climate
and weather by wearing certain types of
clothes, building certain types of shelters
( Igloo), finding suitable food sources.
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Acclimation Adjustments: are reversible
physiological changes to environmental stress.
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These refer to how the human body adapts to climate
changes.
 Example 1: In the arctic, humans are very susceptible to the
cold, which could result in hypothermia. But we don’t get
it?? Why? The body responds to this climatic stress by
adjusting its basal metabolic rate to stay warmer
 Example 2: In the deserts, our bodies can acclimatize by
producing more sweat, resulting in evaporation and
cooling.
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1. What is the difference between behavioural and
acclimation adjustment?
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2. How can an environmental factor, such as living in a
large city or a small rural town, influence individual and
cultural change?
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3. How could current potential environmental factors such
as a diminishing ozone layer affect us in the future? (ie.
Shelters, clothing)
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4. Choose a natural disaster and explain at least 5
adjustments changes that would need to made. Note
whether these changes are behavioural or acclimation
adjustments.
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a human child who has lived isolated from
human contact from a very young age, and has
no (or little) experience of human care, loving or
social behavior, and, crucially, of human
language
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyqbnDjId7g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STn3bpTTU6c