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Use the following scenario to answer Questions 11 and 12.

A biologist was studying two indigenous groups of people from different areas of the world. The first population was from equatorial Africa. The second population was from northern Europe. The biologist was studying a gene that affects skin color. The biologist examined the gene in 100 people from each population. She kept track of how many different forms (or alleles) of the gene she found in each population. The results are in the graph in Figure 1.

1 answer

It appears that you're referencing a specific graph (Figure 1) related to the study of skin color alleles in two different populations, but I can't see the graph. However, I can help you think about the type of questions that might relate to such a scenario based on known biological principles and research.

Potential Questions You Might Encounter (Examples):

Question 11: Which population is likely to exhibit a greater diversity of alleles for the gene affecting skin color, and why?

  • Answer: The equatorial African population is likely to exhibit greater diversity in alleles for the gene affecting skin color. This is because populations in equatorial regions are exposed to higher UV radiation and have evolved a wider variety of adaptations, including different skin color variants, to cope with this environmental pressure. In contrast, northern European populations have less UV exposure, leading to less selective pressure for a diverse range of skin color alleles.

Question 12: How might the findings from this study be important for understanding human adaptation to different environmental conditions?

  • Answer: The findings from this study are significant because they highlight how genetic diversity in traits such as skin color can be a reflection of human adaptation to varying environmental conditions, particularly sunlight exposure. By understanding the distribution and variation of alleles linked to skin color, researchers can gain insights into the evolutionary pressures faced by different populations and how these pressures shape human biology and health, including susceptibility to skin disorders or vitamin D deficiency.

If you provide specific details from the graph or the results mentioned in your scenario, I could tailor the questions and answers more closely to your needs!