Today in class we took the time to "debate" the ideas of manipulating DNA to control traits and also whether or not humans are still evolving. We also went over speciation and the methods in which living things become new species.
Homework for next week is to continue thinking about the concept of human evolution. To do so, I've included three articles that I would like you to read. Afterwards, answer the included questions.
1. Who were the Denisovans? Why are they interesting as far as genetics goes?
2. What is an example of something that we have in our genotype that may have come from the Denisovans?
3. Explain why, evolutionarily, we can't digest fibrous materials?
4. How recent is the variation of skin pigmentation? What is a hypothesis for why there are different colors of skin?
5. List five different stressors that are mentioned in the articles.
6. List ten different pieces of evidence that humans are still evolving.
7. What would it take to get Homo sapiens to evolve into a new species?
8. What is epigenetics?
9. Can stresses in our life make genes act differently?
10. What is a "SNP" and how does it help us to see if humans are evolving?
11. What is indicated if scientists find genetic variants in lots of genomes in a population?
12. What is a hypothesis for why drinking milk would be an evolutionary advantage in Europe?
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