HomeWork HELP

Trilby · 11-15-2011, 10:22 AM

Yeah. It's homework.

Can you guys think of examples of biological human evolution that has taken place in the last 200 years?

I said height and weight are greater. What else? and it has to be biological. Not cultural, etc.

thanks.

DanaC · 11-15-2011, 10:31 AM

IQ?

Sheldonrs · 11-15-2011, 10:38 AM

Thanks to so many vaccines, anti-bacterial soaps, etc., we are not as able to handle diseases as we used to be.

Undertoad · 11-15-2011, 11:04 AM

These are not evolutionary... and I wonder if 200 years is enough to see actual evolution. That's like ten generations.

Beest · 11-15-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

These are not evolutionary... and I wonder if 200 years is enough to see actual evolution. That's like ten generations.

My thought too, some animals make evolutionary changes on a short timescale (insects or such), but I don't think humans do.

Height and weight, aren't they dietary, therefore cultural.

not helping here much

Happy Monkey · 11-15-2011, 11:11 AM

Yeah, I suspect the point of the homework is for the teacher to shoot them all down.

There might be some plague survivors whose genes became more prevalent in some country. But with the dramatic increase in the interconnectiveness of the world, any evolutionary pressure is hugely diluted, into areas without that pressure.

glatt · 11-15-2011, 11:12 AM

You could look at those disorders for which genetic counseling is offered and see if any rates have been reduced over time for those disorders because couples are not reproducing if they have high risk. There's also the question of screening for disorders and terminating pregnancies. I imaging any changes would only be visible in first world countries.

infinite monkey · 11-15-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

Yeah, I suspect the point of the homework is for the teacher to shoot them all down.

~snip~

Maybe foot could just shoot them down. We're still waiting for him to evolve.

(I'm KIDDING! Inside joke.)

Nirvana · 11-15-2011, 11:21 AM

Stem cell therapy?

Cotillion · 11-15-2011, 11:28 AM

How strictly is evolution being defined here? Any useful mutation could be considered evolution, when considered at the individual level. And if we're talking species wide adapation of particular traits...well, 200 years is too short a time span for anything to have spread that quickly.

When in doubt, critique the question, if it looks suspiciously flawed. Because if it is, then it probably was done on purpose, and it means there are marks to be picked up. Especially if this is, say, undergraduate level or so.

Clodfobble · 11-15-2011, 11:34 AM

Collectively, our vision is getting worse. Some people think it's because we're using too many screens close to our face, but I think it's because corrective vision treatments are keeping some of us (like me) alive when we should have blindly walked off a cliff long before puberty.

Also, I've read somewhere that our toes are getting shorter, because good running/balance are no longer needed for hunting.

Sheldonrs · 11-15-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

These are not evolutionary... and I wonder if 200 years is enough to see actual evolution. That's like ten generations.

Isn't this how evolution happens? Changes in environment, etc. begin changes in us.

Undertoad · 11-15-2011, 12:03 PM

Yabbut it takes a lot of generations to get differences you can identify...

Since this is OHIO, DEVOlution is more likely.

infinite monkey · 11-15-2011, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Yabbut it takes a lot of generations to get differences you can identify...

Since this is OHIO, DEVOlution is more likely.

Are we not Ohio?

We are DEVO!

Trilby · 11-15-2011, 01:09 PM

See - you guys are smart.

I think the question is flawed, too. It IS undergrad work - junior level.

My son's bio prof asked that they write up a paragraph on how bio evolution has changed in the last 200 years. 200 years is NOTHING in bio evo. terms.

He's pretty frustrated with the question.

I'll give him the heads up on DEVO, though.

might at least make the stupid prof smile.

11-15-2011, 10:22 AM	#1
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	HomeWork HELP Yeah. It's homework. Can you guys think of examples of biological human evolution that has taken place in the last 200 years? I said height and weight are greater. What else? and it has to be biological. Not cultural, etc. thanks. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

11-15-2011, 10:38 AM	#3
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	Thanks to so many vaccines, anti-bacterial soaps, etc., we are not as able to handle diseases as we used to be. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

11-15-2011, 11:11 AM	#6
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	Yeah, I suspect the point of the homework is for the teacher to shoot them all down. There might be some plague survivors whose genes became more prevalent in some country. But with the dramatic increase in the interconnectiveness of the world, any evolutionary pressure is hugely diluted, into areas without that pressure. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

11-15-2011, 11:21 AM	#9
Nirvana Back in 10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3,684	Stem cell therapy? __________________ Speaking simply... do not confuse this with having a simple mind.

11-15-2011, 11:28 AM	#10
Cotillion Complex Simpleton Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: London Posts: 18	How strictly is evolution being defined here? Any useful mutation could be considered evolution, when considered at the individual level. And if we're talking species wide adapation of particular traits...well, 200 years is too short a time span for anything to have spread that quickly. When in doubt, critique the question, if it looks suspiciously flawed. Because if it is, then it probably was done on purpose, and it means there are marks to be picked up. Especially if this is, say, undergraduate level or so. __________________ "History comforts the dull-witted."

11-15-2011, 11:04 AM	#4
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	These are not evolutionary... and I wonder if 200 years is enough to see actual evolution. That's like ten generations.

11-15-2011, 11:12 AM	#7
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	You could look at those disorders for which genetic counseling is offered and see if any rates have been reduced over time for those disorders because couples are not reproducing if they have high risk. There's also the question of screening for disorders and terminating pregnancies. I imaging any changes would only be visible in first world countries.

11-15-2011, 11:34 AM	#11
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Collectively, our vision is getting worse. Some people think it's because we're using too many screens close to our face, but I think it's because corrective vision treatments are keeping some of us (like me) alive when we should have blindly walked off a cliff long before puberty. Also, I've read somewhere that our toes are getting shorter, because good running/balance are no longer needed for hunting. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

11-15-2011, 12:03 PM	#13
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Yabbut it takes a lot of generations to get differences you can identify... Since this is OHIO, DEVOlution is more likely.

11-15-2011, 01:09 PM	#15
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	See - you guys are smart. I think the question is flawed, too. It IS undergrad work - junior level. My son's bio prof asked that they write up a paragraph on how bio evolution has changed in the last 200 years. 200 years is NOTHING in bio evo. terms. He's pretty frustrated with the question. I'll give him the heads up on DEVO, though. might at least make the stupid prof smile. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)