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Chapter 6 reviews a number of case studies of human microevolution, with emphasis on gene flow, genetic drift, and natural selection. These case studies illustrate how scientists draw evolutionary conclusions from data from living peoples.
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1. You should understand how the case studies on South American Indians and the population history of Ireland illustrate past patterns of gene flow and genetic drift. |
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2. You should understand how natural selection has operated on the sickle cell allele, and how the geographic distribution of this allele is related to malaria. You should also know how culture change has affected sickle cell frequency. |
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3. You should be familiar with some of the complex ways in which natural selection operates on human blood groups. |
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4. You should know the history of lactase persistence and lactose intolerance in humans and their relation to cultural practice. |
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5. You should understand the genetic and environmental components of skin color, and how the distribution of human skin color reflects natural selection in the past. |