Do you think that the groups we refer to as ‘races’ among humans are biologically distinct in
meaningful ways? Why or why not? Be as specific as possible.
My answer to the question:Yes, race is a biologically distinct because you can tell them apart due to their
features. For an example you can tell the distinct difference between a black person and a white person. You
can decipher a black persons feature by looking at their nose, lips, eyes, body shape, facial structure and
pigment of the skin. The same goes for identifying a white person.
SOURCES: Your paper is based on an article from National Geographic and a video from the Howard Hughes
Medical Institute Bioteractive.org. These are the ONLY sources you are allowed to use, and all information for
your paper should come from these sources. Use of additional sources (even if cited) will result in loss of
points. Links to both sources are provided on Blackboard. The National Geographic article is from a special
• What were your pre-assignment perceptions about race as a biological concept? Explain in your own
words what biologists and anthropologists mean when they say that race does not have a biological basis.
• While race does not have a biological basis, how is biology involved in the different skin color phenotypes
observed around the world? Discuss the relationship between skin color and geographic location: include
information for both dark skin and light skin, and the role of evolution. Support your answer with information
and examples from the article and/or video.
• Differences in allele frequencies that lead to differences in phenotypes between populations occur when
populations are isolated from each other. In our current time, humans migrate all over the world extremely
easily (although COVID-19 is currently hindering that ease). How do you predict that human skin color will
change in the future as individuals from previously isolated populations produce the next generations? Provide
an explanation for your prediction.
• How did the work of early scientists (including biologists and anthropologists) promote the idea of race as a
biological concept? Why is it important to address scientific racism? How does addressing the history of bias in
the field of biology change your perspective about race, and about the scientific process itself?
• Reflect on the question, ‘Does race have a biological basis?’ How do you answer this question after
completing this assignment? How has your understanding changed in comparison to your pre- assignment
perceptions?
CITATIONS:
- In-text citations: When you use information from the sources, you need to cite them within the text (not just
at the end) so we know where you got your information. Because two different sources are assigned, you must
indicate the source of your information for a given section or paragraph by placing the author’s last name and
publication year in parentheses, after you make your point. You do not need to do this after every sentence.
The in-text citation format for the article will be (Kolbert and Hammond 2018). The in-text citation format for the
video will be (Whittlesey 2016). - Works Cited: You must provide the full citations for both the article and video at the end of your paper
(single-spaced) in this format.
Kolbert, E. and R. Hammond (2018) Skin Deep. National Geographic Magazine vol. 233 (no. 4): 36-48.
Whittlesey, R. (2016). The Biology of Skin Color [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://media.hhmi.org/biointeractive/interactivevideo/skincolorquiz/