Science Quickly Where Did Curly Hair Come From? Biological Anthropology May Provide Insights
19 snips
Feb 21, 2025 Tina Lasisi, a biological anthropologist from the University of Michigan, dives into the evolution of human hair, particularly curls. She discusses why humans, unlike other mammals, have less body hair and the role of melanin in skin variation. Tina explores the genetic factors behind differing hair textures, including intriguing insights from "chemo curls." Their conversation reveals how hair can reflect health issues and captures the complex interplay between genetics and environmental adaptation throughout human history.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Skin and Hair Variation
- Human skin color variation results from natural selection adapting to different UV radiation levels.
- Hair variation is more complex, potentially involving heat regulation, but lacks a complete evolutionary explanation.
Curly Hair and Heat
- Rachel Feltman, despite having bleached curly hair, noticed feeling hotter with straight hair.
- This personal experience aligns with Lasisi's research on curly hair's heat regulation.
Measuring Hair Curl
- Categorizing hair types (straight, wavy, curly) lacks precision.
- Measuring hair curl in 3D requires complex methods due to its multi-dimensional nature.