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Course: American Museum of Natural History > Unit 3
Lesson 3: Evolution and human health and well-being (American Museum of Natural History)- How evolution saves lives and promotes prosperity
- Solving problems with phylogenetic trees
- Conservation genetics and conserving biodiversity
- Genes and health—moving beyond race
- Malaria—natural selection and new medicine
- Our balancing act with viruses
- What is a virus?
- Quiz: Evolution and human health
- Exploration Questions: Evolution and human health
- Answers to Exploration Questions: Evolution and human health
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Answers to Exploration Questions: Evolution and human health
1. If an outbreak of a disease occurs, why would epidemiologists do a phylogenetic analysis of the microbe to identify its location within a phylogenetic tree? Give at least three reasons.
Answer: Scientists would do a genetic analysis of a microbe for many reasons, such as:
- To identify whether the microbe is new to science
- To compare it to existing microbes
- To track the spread of the disease
- To predict areas where new outbreaks might occur
- To understand how the microbe has evolved
- To develop medication or vaccines
- To identify potential hosts of new outbreaks
2. Explain how a phylogenetic analysis of a little known snake could help victims of its snakebite. (Hint: Each snake species has a specific venom. An antivenin is a natural substance used to counteract a specific poison, such as the venom of a specific snake.)
Answer: Related snake species have similar venoms, and those venoms likely have similar antivenins. A phylogenetic analysis can help determine which known snakes are most closely related to the lesser-known snake. If scientists know the antivenins for the known snake, they can predict which ones would be most helpful in the case of snakebite from the lesser-known snake.
3. Give three examples of how evolutionary science benefits human health.
Answer: Some examples of evolutionary science benefitting human health include:
- Evolutionary science helps public health researchers identify new strains of diseases.
- Evolutionary science helps agricultural scientists improve crops by refining their traits.
- Evolutionary science helps scientists track and control invasive species that can harm food and water supplies.
- Evolutionary science helps chemists identify new ingredients for pharmaceutical drugs.
Want to join the conversation?
How is flat footedness a disease?(3 votes)
A great question! Well some people say its a disease . I feel its a disorder cause it does not effect ones body internally.(5 votes)