Why do they think that the high incidence of this gene in populations who live at high altitudes is due to natural selection?
This week is all about evolution. For your primary post, respond to one of the following topics. Also, be sure to reply to at least one fellow student on any topic.
Topic 1
: High Altitude Adaptation. In the recorded interview (1)*, Emilia Huerta-Sanchez describes some research her team conducted. Watch the video, then address the following questions:
- (a) What data did they collect, who did they collect it from, and what were they looking for?
- (b) Which gene was implicated as a gene associated with high altitude adaptation, and what does it do?
- (c) Why do they think that the high incidence of this gene in populations who live at high altitudes is due to natural selection?
Topic 2 [reading]: Co-evolution of rattlesnakes and squirrels. Read at least one of the following articles (2)* and/or (3)*, and then address the following questions:
- (a) How do squirrels adapt to rattlesnake venom?
- (b) How do rattlesnakes adapt to squirrel’s defenses against rattlesnake venom?
- (c) What do the results of this research tell us about evolution?
*References (in Strayer Writing Standards format).
- NESCent, October 2010. High Altitude Adaptation, https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/anims/altitudevideo2_pop.php
- May 18, 2016. How is rattlesnake venom like fine wine? Both have regional varieties, https://news.osu.edu/how-is-rattlesnake-venom-like-fine-wine-both-have-regional-varieties/
- Sarah Kaplan, May 20, 2016. Snake venom evolved to kill specific sq
