Question

The closest star to our own, approximately 4.2 light-years away or 25 trillion miles, is the red-dwarf, Proxima Centauri. This low-mass star is about 12% the mass of our Sun, however, a planet has been observed rotating around this red-dwarf star called Proxima c. This exoplanet is approximately 1.3 times the size of earth and appears to have a rocky terrain. Because of its rotation,Proxima c would have approximately 22 Earth days between sunrises and the surface temperature would beapproximately -40C. Evidence of both atmospheric and liquid water on the surface has been observed. Because of the closeness of this planet to the Proxima Centauri, the planet is flooded with 400x more radiation than Earth and a solar wind pressure 2000x that experienced on Earth. Due to these factors, the inhabitants of this planet would most likely live underground and would only venture above ground for resources. They would be bipedal humanoids, resembling humans in their anatomy and physiology. However, considering the differences between Proxima c and Earth, there will be adaptations that would ensure their survival on Proxima c driven by the process of natural selection.

Analysis:

Using this information, you should describe and justify one adaptation to the nervous system that this organism wouldhave to inhabit Proxima c.  This analysis should include the following:  

• Description of the physiology of the human nervous system (refer to your textbook).

• An explanation of how the environment of Proxima cmay affect the functioning of the human nervous system and special senses.

• Propose an adaptation to the human nervous system the Proxima c humanoid would have to compensate for the environment.

o The adaptation can be based on changes in a human organ to make it work more efficiently on Proxima c or can be an organ that is not found in the human nervous system.

• The proposal should include justification as to why that particular adaption would benefit the humanoid more than any other adaptation to the nervous system.

o Justifications should be based on known scientific principles and research.

• Describe how this change or new organ would enable the humanoid to function better on this planet than on Earth.

• Use reliable sources and identify the relevant

There isn't a right answer but just looking for advice on how to start with the analysis

Answer 1

Many of the higher neurological functions, such as memory, emotion, and consciousness, are the result of cerebral function. The cerebrum is covered by an outer area of gray matter called the cerebral cortex. This thin, extensive region of wrinkled gray matter is responsible for the higher functions of the nervous system. A gyrus (plural = gyri) is the ridge of one of those wrinkles, and a sulcus (plural = sulci) is the groove between two gyri. The pattern of these folds of tissue indicates specific regions of the cerebral cortex. The folding of the cortex maximizes the amount of gray matter in the cranial cavity. The surface of the brain can be mapped on the basis of the locations of large gyri and sulci. Using these landmarks, the cortex can be separated into four major regions, or lobes (Figure 8.19). The lateral sulcus that separates the temporal lobe from the other regions is one such landmark. Superior to the lateral sulcus are the parietal lobe and frontal lobe, which are separated from each other by the central sulcus. The posterior region of the cortex is the occipital lobe, which has no obvious anatomical border between it and the parietal or temporal lobes on the lateral surface of the brain. From the medial surface, an obvious landmark separating the parietal and occipital lobes is called the parieto-occipital sulcus. The fact that there is no obvious anatomical border between these lobes is consistent with the functions of these regions being interrelated.