Recent Adaptations in Humans

Teaching Notes

• This Click and Learn contains three examples of human adaptation, each of which can be explored on its own. Students should be familiar with Mendelian genetics.
• The example on lactase persistence can be combined with the Click and Learn “Regulation of the Lactase Gene.”
• The example on sickle cell disease can be supplemented with a class viewing of the short film “Sickle Cell: Natural Selection in Humans.”
• The example of PTC taste sensitivity assumes some knowledge of molecular genetics, including nucleotides, polymorphisms, and haplotypes.