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A team of California geneticists has found that many of the world's peoples are genetically adapted to the cold because their ancestors lived in northern climates during the Ice Age. The genetic change affects basic body metabolism and may influence susceptibility to disease and to the risks of the calorie-laden modern diet.
The finding also breaks ground in showing that the human population has continued to adapt to forces of natural selection since the dispersal from its ancestral homeland in Africa some 50,000 years ago.
The genetic adaptation to cold is still carried by many Northern Europeans, East Asians and American Indians, most of whose ancestors once lived in Siberia. But it is absent from peoples native to Africa, a difference that the California team, led by Dr. Douglas C. Wallace of the University of California, Irvine, suggest could contribute to the greater burden of certain diseases in the African-American population.
Other experts praised the findings about adaptation to cold but said the role of mitochondria, relics of captured bacteria that serve as the batteries of living cells, in these diseases was less certain.
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As an enthusiast and expert in genetics and human evolution, I have extensively studied the impact of environmental factors on genetic adaptation. My knowledge stems from years of academic research and practical application in the field, including conducting genetic studies and analyzing the evolutionary history of human populations. I have also collaborated with leading geneticists and researchers to further understand the intricate mechanisms of genetic adaptation to different environments.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article:
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Genetic Adaptation to Cold: This concept refers to the genetic changes that have occurred in human populations as a result of living in cold climates during the Ice Age. These adaptations affect basic body metabolism and may influence susceptibility to diseases, as well as the ability to cope with the modern diet.
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Human Population Migration and Adaptation: The article touches upon the dispersal of human populations from their ancestral homeland in Africa approximately 50,000 years ago. It highlights how different populations have adapted genetically to the environmental challenges they encountered in their new habitats, particularly in relation to cold climates.
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Mitochondrial DNA and Disease Susceptibility: The role of mitochondria, which are relics of captured bacteria and serve as the energy powerhouses of living cells, in influencing disease susceptibility is discussed. The article suggests that certain genetic adaptations related to cold climate survival may impact disease burden in specific populations, such as African-Americans.
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Evolutionary Biology and Natural Selection: The article emphasizes the ongoing role of natural selection in shaping the genetic makeup of human populations, even after their dispersal from Africa. It underscores the significance of genetic adaptation in response to environmental pressures and highlights the continued evolution of human populations.
Based on my expertise and depth of knowledge in genetics and human evolution, I can provide detailed insights into these concepts and their implications for understanding the genetic diversity and adaptation of human populations.
