Final answer:
Extended lactose tolerance in humans is an example of dietary-driven genetic adaptation, particularly prevalent in European populations, that has resulted from the evolutionarily beneficial genetic mutation which allows continued production of the enzyme lactase. This adaptation is linked to the domestication of cattle and development of dairy agricultural practices that provided important sources of vitamin D, calcium, and protein.
Step-by-step explanation:
The example of extended lactose tolerance in humans tells us about the adaptation and evolutionary process that has taken place, particularly in European populations, in response to dietary changes. This adaptation is characterized by the production of lactase, an enzyme necessary for the digestion of lactose, the sugar found in milk. Unlike most adult mammals, which do not produce lactase, many Europeans can digest lactose thanks to a genetic mutation that conferred lactose tolerance. This mutation provided an evolutionary advantage because it allowed individuals to utilize milk as a resource. This trait became prevalent as the individuals who could digest lactose were able to survive and reproduce more successfully in environments where milk was a significant part of the diet. The ability to synthesize lactase also is associated with the domestication of cattle and the shift to agricultural society, further highlighting the connection between culture, diet, and genetic evolution.
The presence of vitamin D is another factor that could have influenced the development of lactose tolerance. Since dairy foods are a valuable source of vitamin D, as well as calcium and proteins, their consumption could have offered additional advantages to certain human populations. Over time, this has shaped our dietary preferences and cultural practices around dairy consumption. In the broader context, this illustrates how human evolution and culture can be tightly interwoven, as dietary needs influence genetic changes, and those changes, in turn, affect cultural developments.