Skylor Brown

Anthropology 1020

Melissa Schaefer

April 27, 2017

Reflection

The scientific method is the basis for all of science. The first step in the

scientific method is to formulate a hypothesis. A hypothesis is an educated

guess about some phenomena. A hypothesis cannot be proven true; it can

only be falsified. Next through either experimentation or observations, data

is collected. If the data contradicts the hypothesis, either the hypothesis

needs to be revised or rejected. The new hypothesis is then retested. A well

tested hypothesis may then become a theory or part of a theory. As part the

lab Darwins finches lab report, we applied the scientific method in predicting

the most advantages beaks.

Evolution by natural selection is the driving force in biology. The theory

has 4 underlying assumption. There is biological variation in the population.

Variations are passed down from generation to generation. More offspring is

born than the environment can sustain which leads to competition.

Individuals with favorable variations are more likely to survive and reproduce

(differential reproductive success). We now know that variations come from

genetic mutations and the process of meiosis explains how traits are passed

from parents to child.

There are 5 micro evolutionary forces that act on populations. Random

mutations will change the allele frequency over time. The flow of genes from

one population into another population (gene flow). If a population is reduced

in size either by a die off (bottleneck) or a small group founding a new

population (founder effect), the result will be genetic drift. The small

population will likely have a different allele frequency than the group as a

whole. Non-random mating (sexual selection) will also cause a change the

gene pool by selecting for individuals that are more appealing to the

opposite sex. The final microevolutionary force is natural selection. Changes

in the ecosystem select for individuals who are best suited for that

environment.

Macro evolutionary forces act on species over time. Speciation is when

one species evolves into another species through the accumulation of micro

evolutionary changes (anagenesis) or when a new species branches from an

existing species through reproductive isolation or genetic divergence

(cladogenesis). Extinction is the end of a species caused by changes in the

environment, competition, etc. Parallel evolution is when closely related

species that fill similar niches maintain a similar appearance. Adaptive

Radiation is the rapid diversification of a species to fill new ecological niches.

Convergence is when two distantly related species that have a similar niche,

develop similar appearances.

 Hemoglobin s is the result of a point mutation on the gene that codes

for hemoglobin A. hemoglobin s is a recessive allele. If a person is

homozygous for hemoglobin s the result is sickle cell anemia, an often-

deadly disease. Hemoglobin s remains in the population because of the

benefits it confers to heterozygous individuals. Slash and burn agriculture of

rainforest has left large areas of standing water ripe for mosquitos that carry

malaria. People who are heterozygous for hemoglobin show a higher

resistance to malaria. Areas in Africa with the highest level of malaria also

have the high level of the hemoglobin s trait. The benefits in the mutation

outweigh the ill effects it has on homozygous individuals. The interplay

between culture and evolution is called biocultural evolution.

The ability to metabolize lactose is another example of biocultural

evolution. People in Europe and some parts of Africa lived pastorally. Humans

breed cattle to produce high-quality milk and humans were selected to

digest it. It would cost energy to produce lactase and would likely be

detrimental if no milk was consumed in adult hood. Lactase persistence

evolved independently in several populations.

In Curse and Blessing of the Ghetto Jared Diamond suggest that the

Tay-Sachs gene is an example of biocultural evolution. Tay-Sachs disease is

recessive which means that two copies of the gene are need to give the

disease. Having Tay-Sachs is fatal in infants and would seem that natural

selection would weed out the gene over time. There seems to be multiple

variation in the mutation which rules out founder effect. Medical records
related to TB deaths suggests that being heterozygous for Tay-Sachs conveys

an advantage against the disease. Jews were often forced to live in large

cities where TB was most prevalent. This would have put a selective pressure

in favor of variation that protect against TB.

I have taken several science focused classes before human origins.

This class reinforces the importance of the scientific method. It is important

to be faithful to what the data says and not try to manipulate the results to

fit the hypothesis. We also must be aware of its limitations; the application of

the scientific method can never prove something is true.

I have studied various example of evolution in the past and found the

evidence to be quite convincing. This course helped me get a better handle

on what evolution is and the evidence that supports the theory. The variety

of evidence gives the theory credence. DNA studies, fossil records and

laboratory experiments have shown examples of evolution in both the short

and long term scales. The theory of evolution ties biology together and

shows that all life on earth is intimately related with a shared history.