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Is the development of greater lung capacity in human populations at high altitude environments an example of cultural adaptation?

User Fahad
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Final answer:

Greater lung capacity at high altitudes is a result of biological adaptation, specifically acclimatization, and not cultural adaptation. It involves physiological changes in the body to cope with low oxygen levels rather than changes in cultural practices or technologies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The development of greater lung capacity in human populations at high altitude environments is an example of biological adaptation through acclimatization rather than cultural adaptation. Acclimatization is the process of adjustment that the respiratory system makes due to chronic exposure to high altitudes. In response to low oxygen environments like those found in the Andes, Tibet, and the Ethiopian highlands, different human populations have developed unique physiological changes such as increased breath rate, higher concentrations of hemoglobin, or, in the case of the Ethiopian highlanders, some yet-to-be-understood adaptations. This natural biological response is distinct from cultural adaptations, which involve deliberate changes in behavior or technology, such as using fire for warmth or developing agricultural practices.

User Kevin Vd Bosch
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