High altitude is an environmental stress to the
human body. The main negative symptom
that occurs to the body when trying to adapt to the high altitude is the inability
to comfortably breath. At high
altitudes, the lower air pressure makes it more difficult for oxygen to enter
our vascular systems which can lead to hypoxia. Hypoxia occurs from not having
a sufficient amount of oxygen in body tissue. This symptom can affect the
heart, lungs, brain, reproduction, increased miscarriages, low birth rates, and
infant deaths. Hypoxia is one of the more severe stresses that occurs to the
body however increased solar radiation, reduced nutritional rates, humidity,
cold temperatures and wind are all stresses that affect the body and its homeostasis
state.
Scientists have found that there is evidence of
developmental adaptation. Reproduction as been a challenge in higher altitudes
because of the oxygen supply needed to support the baby while developing has
been the cause of miscarriages and infant death rates. The Tibet people have
lived in high alterations for as long as 25,000 years and have showed no
difficulties in reproduction. Infants have birth weights the same as infants
who are born in lower altitudes, and altitude is not negatively affecting the
development process.
The study of the human variation can be helpful in
the way that we are able to see how adaptation is occurring has occurred or
possible will if there is still a struggle occurring. Just as with the people
of Tibet we were able to see that they had adapted over time and were no longer
affected by the high altitude.
The study of environmental influences on adaptation
is a better way to understand human variation than by the use of race because it
the different adaptations that humans develop, and the different traits that groups
them into categories of race. Race shows different human populations that are
from different locations of the world. Understanding the environmental influences
of these areas and the adaptations that occurred in these regions will help understand
the differences in race are from the environmental stresses.
