Human Species : An Introduction to Biological Anthropology with PowerWeb

by Relethford, John

• ISBN13: 9780073105758
• ISBN10: 0073105759
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-12-30
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages

Summary

This general introduction to contemporary biological (physical) anthropology presents balanced coverage of the major components of the field: genetics and evolutionary theory, human biological variation, primate biology and behaviour, and human evolution.

Table of Contents

Preface

PART I: Evolutionary Background

1. Biological Anthropology and Evolution

What is Anthropology?

Special Topic: Biological Anthropologists at Work

Science and Evolution

2. Human Genetics

Molecular Genetics

Mendelian Genetics

Mutations

Special Topic: PCR and Ancient DNA

Genetics and Behavior

3. Evolutionary Forces

Population Genetics

The Evolutionary Forces

Special Topic: Tay-Sachs Disease: Genetic Drift or Natural Selection?

4. The Origin and Evolution of Species

The Birth and Death of Species

Misconceptions about Evolution

Special Topic: Science Fiction and Orthogenesis

A Brief History of Life

PART II: Human Biological Variation

5. The Study of Human Variation

Measuring Human Variation

Race and Human Variation

Global Patterns of Human Genetic Variation

Special Topic: Genetics, Race, and IQ

6. Genetics, History, and Ancestry

The Genetic History of Populations

Special Topic: Kennewick Man

The Genetic History of Individuals

Genetic Ancestry and Cultural Identity

7. Natural Selection in Human Populations

Natural Selection and Disease

Special Topic: ABO Maternal-Fetal Incompatibility and Natural Selection

Natural Selection and Skin Color

Natural Selection and Culture Change

8. Human Adaptation

Types of Adaptation

Climate and Human Adaptation

Special Topic: Cranial PlasticityDid Boas Get it Right?

High-Altitude Adaptation

Nutritional Adaptation

PART III: Our Place in Nature

9. Primates in Nature

Taxonomic Classification

Characteristics of Mammals

Primate Characteristics

Special Topic: What Will Happen to the Primates?

Models of Primate Behavior

10. The Biology and Behavior of the Living Primates

Primate Suborders

The Monkeys

The Hominoids

The Living Apes

Special Topic: Social Structure and Testes Size in Primates

11. The Human Species

Characteristics of Living Humans

The Human Life Cycle

Special Topic: Should Infants Sleep with Their Parents? An Evolutionary View

Is Human Behavior Unique?

12. Primate Origins and Evolution

The Study of the Fossil Record

Early Primate Evolution

Evolution of the Miocene Hominoids

Special Topic: The Giant Ape

PART IV: Human Evolution

13. Hominid Origins

Overview of Human Evolution

The First Hominids

Evolutionary Trends

Special Topic: The Piltdown Hoax

14. The Origin and Evolution of the Genus Homo

The Origin of the Genus Homo

Homo erectus

Archaic Humans

Special Topic: Neandertals: Names and Images

15. The Origin of Modern Humans

Anatomically Modern Homo sapiens

The Origin of Modern Humans

Special Topic: The Iceman

Recent Biological and Cultural Evolution in Homo sapiens

16. Human Biology and Culture Change

The Biological Impact of Agriculture

The Biological Impact of Civilization

Recent Changes

Special Topic: The Baby Boom

Epilogue: The Future of Our Species

Appendix 1: Mathematical Population Genetics

Appendix 2: Classification of Living Primates

Appendix 3: Conversion Factors

Appendix 4: Comparative Primate Skeletal Anatomy

Glossary

Index