In the article “Some historical perspectives on thermoregulation” written by Cooper the author addresses the very significant phenomenon of human body adaptation to climatic conditions changes. Dr. Cooper works as a medical doctor at the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, 3330 Hospital, the city of Calgary. The article was written in 2002. This article describes human body’s adaptation mechanism to such climatic extremes as severe frosts, humidity and winds. The geographic distribution of the article’s findings mainly concentrates on northern countries located in the Northern hemisphere. The article puts the population from the above mentioned geographic regions under study. The purpose of this article is to sum up the history of research in the area of human adaptation to such severe climate conditions as extreme cold, wind and high level of humidity accompanied by extremely low temperatures.
In this article, Cooper (2002) is addressing the application of molecular biology to thermoregulation with regards to climatic adaptation. To support the conclusion of the article Cooper relates numerous types of evidences including the results of his personal research which he has laid during decades of his working experience as medical doctor. He also describes “temperature-sensing mechanisms, coordination of thermal information, thermoregulatory circuitry, efferent responses to thermal stimuli, set point mechanisms, and some of the mechanisms and consequences of fever and hyperthermia” (Cooper 2002, p. 48). Commenting on the article’s argument, I would say that it presents well-generated and weighty evidence. I can describe the conclusions made in the article as well-supported and reliable as the author creates a well-organized argument in one’s article supporting it by the abundance of weighty evidences.
Comparing the findings of the above mentioned article to the ones of the article “Human Biological Adaptation to Arctic and Subarctic Zones” written by Joseph So, it should be stated that the two articles are in full accord with each other and support the same point of view that human body has all the necessary means of adaptation to extreme climate conditions including low temperatures. So indicates that human adaptation to climate conditions has been often studied by physical anthropologists in recent years; as a result they came to a conclusion that “the success and diversity of the human species bear testament to our adaptability to an amazing array of environmental conditions” (1980, p.65). Both of the authors explain the way people adapt to varied “ecozones through biological, cultural, technological and behavioral means” (So, 1980). The two authors seem to be cooperators in the field of these researches as Mr. So resorts to the use of quotations from Mr. Cooper works to support one’s conclusions; this can be seen in his article “Human Biological Adaptation to Arctic and Subarctic Zones” where he makes some citations from Cooper’s work of 1980. Speaking about the specific climatological stressor and human adaption, it should be said that both articles argue that every specific climatological stressor will cause certain type of human adaption to it which will occur in order to survive in such conditions. Both of the authors resort to the use of similar data and evidences; however, Cooper as a practician of medicine has a tendency to apply the arguments based on the experiences which occurred during his practice as a doctor.
Reflecting on the nature of research of human populations and climate, it can be stated that human bodies are provided with marvelous mechanisms enabling them to adapt to whatever extreme climate conditions they are put to. This conclusion is made on the basis of current researches; however, few of these researches really take into account the fact of globalization which causes people to migrate constantly, and thus, may have certain discrepancies. Still, it is rather expectable that the tendency to relocate among modern people will only add to the improvement of adaptation mechanisms. Reflecting on the information that I have examined so far, it should be stated that human morphological variation is a useful tool enabling us to survive in the most difficult and extreme conditions (Molnar, 2005). Basically, this mechanism is so adaptable and flexible that it seems to have no limits within the conditions of earth with its atmosphere and gravity.
As for my comments concerning morphological adaptation that may be expected as a result of human efforts to live on the moon in 0 gravity in the next millennia, I believe that they may first of all address such systems in human body as respiratory system, organs of equilibration and supporting-motor apparatus. This might happen in order to provide human body with particular mechanisms enabling it to live in such extreme conditions. However, I should also say that I am not the supporter of a prospective for humans to live elsewhere in the Universe apart from the Earth as from what I know about human body for now, it was especially designed to function within the limits of the Earth and may adapt only to the changes happening on the Earth.
Literature Cited
- Cooper KE. 2002. Some historical perspectives on thermoregulation. J Appl Physiol 92(4):1717-1724.
- Molnar S. 2005. Races, Types, and Ethnic Groups, 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
- So JK. 1980. Human biological adaptation to Arctic and Subarctic zone. Ann Rev Anthropol 9:63-82.