Science Homework Help

The Evolution of Ink

Background:

In Chapter 11, Fuentes examines the past and future of human evolution. It should be clear from the first ten chapters of the textbook that the combination of gene flow and genetic drift as well as cultural, social and symbolic practices play roles in genetic, phenotypic and behavioral changes.

One culturally symbolic activity that alters human morphology is tattooing. However, according to recent research, body modification such as tattoos may also have an influence on the immune system. Thus, tattoos are area of human culture and evolution that can be studied from a biocultural perspective.

Instructions:

Read this article on tattooing and the immune system from CNN. (Links to an external site.) Then, watch this short news clip on the same tattoo research (Links to an external site.). You may also wish to watch this TED talk on the history of tattoos:

(Links to an external site.)

Then, answer the following questions:

1) Briefly explain how our immune system responds to body modifications such as tattoos?

2) What do you think about tattoos? Do you have any yourself?

3) Do you think tattoos could be, or become, a factor in mate selection or reproductive fitness? Explain.

After your initial post please respond to two other students.