Week 8 - Human Variation & Race Blog
1. Too much exposure to high levels of solar radiation can negatively impact the survival of humans by disturbing homeostasis. For example, in the United States alone, 54,000 people are diagnosed with the deadly skin cancer Melanoma. Furthermore, 8,000 of those diagnosed die from this type of cancer. Being that Melanoma is one of the top ten most common forms of cancer in the country, it is generally recommended that everyone use some form of protection when being exposed to ultraviolet rays. Normally, melanin in the skin acts as the protective agent against too much sun exposure. However, too much time spend in the sun can ultimately alter the DNA which leads to the development of Melanoma. 2. Adaptations to high levels of solar radiation: a. Short-term adaptation: A short term adaptation to exposure of high levels of UV rays is the reddening and peeling of skin after sun...
