Human Variation And Race

High altitudes have a critical effect on the human body and also modify one’s endurance. At high altitudes the level of oxygen is approximately similar to that at sea level, however in high elevations the air pressure is lower causing the oxygen molecules to expand making it harder to breathe. It is harder to breathe because since the molecules cover a greater amount of area at high altitudes each time you breathe in you inhale less oxygen. With low air pressure in high altitudes there can be strains on the human body. The lower atmospheric pressure can cause a decrease in the oxygen pressure in the human body. The effects of that can cause potentially serious illness, which may sometimes lead to have a fatal consequence. Such illnesses can be high altitude sickness, high altitude pulmonary edema, and high altitude cerebral edema.

Short-term adaptation

A short-term adaption to high altitude is an increase in breathing and heart rate. In order to obtain more oxygen in our body our hearts have to pump harder. High altitudes can be very stressful for those with weak hearts. Also since the high altitude can cause moisture from our lungs and skin to evaporate quickly, it is very important to drink plenty of water to replenish and maintain your body’s homeostasis. 

Facultative adaptation

A facultative adaptation to high altitude would be an increase in the body’s red blood cell count. At a high altitude a persons red blood cells increase in order to carry more oxygen throughout the body. The lungs also increase to expand their capacity to transfer oxygen and other gases properly.

Developmental adaptation

Populations have developed adaptation in their DNA due to high altitudes. Throughout the years natural selection has resulted in some populations being more genetically suited for the pressures of living in high elevations. Many indigenous cultures living in the mountain valleys of Bolivia and Peru have adapted to the high altitude in a physiological manner. They produce more hemoglobin in their blood making them capable of breathing faster and carrying more oxygen to the rest of their body. However those who live in Tibet and Nepal, both countries that are located in high elevations, do not produce more hemoglobin. They tend to breathe faster causing them to have broader capillaries and arteries and allowing them to have higher rates of blood flow therefore their bodies would receive greater amounts of oxygen regardless of the fact that they do not produce more hemoglobin. 

Cultural adaptation

Individuals use tools and diet to help them adapt to higher altitudes. Like previously mentioned, higher elevations cause a great amount of water to be taken from our skin and lungs so by adapting our diet to consist in drinking plenty of water to replenish our water levels is one type of cultural adaptation. Another is the use of oxygen tanks with masks to make breathing easier for those who climb to high altitudes as a leisure pursuit.

It is beneficial to study human variation in higher altitudes across environmental clines. Studies have shown that those living in higher elevations tend to have a longer life. Also due to the fact that your heart is working extra, which is an added beneficial exercise, individuals can decrease the risk of heart disease in half. It is beneficial for athletes as well. By exercising at higher altitudes your body works harder which helps strengthen the heart and improve the body’s endurance.

A way to use race to understand the variation of the adaptations of higher altitude would be to look and the indigenous population of the Incas living in the high mountain valleys of Peru. Due to the increase of blood flow near the skin’s surface, their cheeks tend to be rosier. It also may seem that marathoners from Africa seem to be much more capable of winning than those from different countries. This is not solely due to their race but rather than that of where they live. Most countries in Africa, particularly Kenya, are located high above sea level resulting in greater athletic endurance.