The Theories Of Complete Replacement, And Biocultural Evolution

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The theories of Complete Replacement, Partial Replacement, and Regional Continuity are theories to explain the evolution of prehumans to modern humans. Each of the theories has differing views of how modern humans evolved from earlier hominid species.
The Complete Replacement Model, developed by Christopher Stringer and Peter Andrews, was based on the theory modern humans originated in Africa and replaced populations in Europe and Asia through dispersal (Jurmain, 2009. Pg. 246). This theory does not allow transition from premodern humans to modern humans. All of the premodern population of Europe and Asia would have been different species. Modern humans would have been a different species from African species and therefore unable to reproduce with humans in Asia and Europe (pg. 246). Studying DNA has shown African migration for modern humans in Europe and Asia. The Partial Replacement …show more content…

Why is the ability to digest milk sugars an example of biocultural evolution? Can you name any other examples of biocultural evolution? Lactase is necessary for breaking down the milk sugar, lactose. The lactase enzyme requires a gene to code for lactase production which ceases to code in adolescence. Through human evolution milk was unavailable in many parts of the world and there may be a selective advantage for gene coding for lactase production to switch off (Jurmain, 2009. Pg 280). Lactose intolerance in adulthood is caused by the decreased activity of LCT gene. The LCT gene is controlled by a DNA sequence located in a nearby gene called MCM6. The inherited changes in this causes sustained lactase production and the ability to digest lactose through life (Lactose intolerance). This is called lactose tolerance and have autosomal dominant variations, which means one copy of the altered regulatory element is sufficient to sustain lactase production (Lactose

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