Description
Book SynopsisBiological Anthropology is a concise introduction to the basic themes, theories, methods and facts of bioanthropology. The scientific method provides a framework that brings accessibility and context to the material. This seventh edition presents the most recent findings and interpretations of topics in anthropology including
Australopithecus sediba, the Denisovians, and epigenetics.
Table of ContentsPrefaceTo the Reader1 Biological AnthropologyIn the Field: Doing Biological AnthropologyAmong the HutteritesA Hawaiian in ConnecticutWhat Is Biological Anthropology?Defining AnthropologyThe Specialties of BioanthropologyBioanthropology and ScienceThe Scientific MethodSome Common Misconceptions about ScienceScience Is Conducted in a Cultural Context
Contemporary Reflections: Is Evolution a Fact, a Theory, or Just a Hypothesis?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings2 The Evolution of Evolution"On the Shoulders of Giants": Explaining the Changing EarthThe Biblical ContextThe Framework of "Natural Philosophy""Common Sense at Its Best": Explaining Biological ChangeDarwin's PredecessorsCharles DarwinThe Modern Theory of Evolution
Contemporary Reflections: Has Science Dehumanized Society?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings3 Evolutionary GeneticsHow Genes WorkAn Overview of the Human GenomeFrom Genes to TraitsHow Inheritance Works
Contemporary Reflections: What is Genetic Cloning?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings4 The Processes of EvolutionSpecies: The Units of EvolutionThe Four Processes of EvolutionMutations: Necessary ErrorsNatural Selection: The Prime Mover of EvolutionGene Flow: Mixing Populations' GenesGenetic Drift: Random EvolutionSickle Cell Anemia: Evolutionary Processes in ActionGenetics and Symptoms
Contemporary Reflections: Are Humans Still Evolving?The Adaptive ExplanationOther RelationshipsSummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings5 The Origin of Species and the Shape of EvolutionNew SpeciesReproductive Isolating MechanismsProcesses of SpeciationThe Evolution of Life's DiversityOur Family TreeAdaptive RadiationThe Grand Pattern of EvolutionThe Pattern of SpeciationSpecies SelectionCatastrophic Mass Extinctions
Contemporary Reflections: Are There Alternatives to Evolution?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings6 A Brief Evolutionary TimetableFrom the Beginning: A Quick HistoryDrifting Continents and Mass Extinctions: The Pace of Change
Contemporary Reflections: Are Mass Extinctions a Thing of the Past?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings7 The PrimatesNaming the AnimalsWhat Is a Primate?The SensesMovementReproductionIntelligenceBehavior PatternsThe Primate Adaptive StrategyA Survey of the Living PrimatesProsimiansAnthropoidsThe Human PrimateThe SensesMovementReproduction
Contemporary Reflections: What Is the Status of Our Closest Relatives?IntelligenceBehavior PatternsAre We Hominids or Hominins?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings8 Primate Behavior and Human EvolutionBehavioral EvolutionHow Do Complex Behaviors Evolve?How Do We Study Behavior?Primate BehaviorBaboonsChimpanzeesBonobosCulture and Social Cognition
Contemporary Reflections: Are Some Human Behaviors Genetic?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings9 Studying the Human PastBones: The Primate SkeletonOld Bones: Locating, Recovering, and Dating FossilsFinding FossilsRecovering FossilsDating FossilsHow Fossils Get to Be FossilsGenes: New Windows to the PastThe "Molecular Clock"The Genetic Differences between Chimps and Humans
Contemporary Reflections: Who Owns Old Bones?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings10 Evolution of the Early HominidsThe Origin and Evolution of the PrimatesBipedalismThe Benefits of BipedalismThe Evolution of BipedalismThe Early HominidsAustralopithecusParanthropusThe Search for the First HominidsArdipithecusKenyanthropusOrrorinSahelanthropusPutting It All TogetherConnecting the DotsThe Ecological Context
Contemporary Reflections: Is There a "Missing Link"?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings11 The Evolution of Genus
HomoThe Nature of Genus
HomoThe First Members of Genus
HomoThe First Stone ToolsThe FossilsA New Adaptive ModeTo New LandsThe First FossilsMigration and the Ice AgesThe Life of
Homo erectusBig Brains, Archaic Skulls
Homo antecessorHomo heidelbergensisThe NeandertalsPhysical FeaturesCultureModern HumansAnatomyDatesCulture
Contemporary Reflections: Who Are the "Hobbits" from Indonesia?More Neandertals and Yet Another Human Group?The Debate Over Modern Human OriginsThe ModelsThe EvidenceIs This Debate Important?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings12 Evolution and Adaptation in Human PopulationsPopulation AdaptationsSpecies AdaptationsVariation in AdaptationsAre All Variations Adaptively Important?Disease and Human PopulationsDiseases are "Natural"Disease and Hominid EvolutionDisease and Human HistoryEmerging Diseases
Contemporary Reflections: Are There Jewish Diseases? Are There Black Pharmaceuticals?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings13 Human Biological DiversitySex and GenderWhy Are There No Biological Races Within the Human Species?Race as a Biological ConceptHuman Phenotypic VariationGenetic VariationEvolutionary TheoryWhat, Then,
Are Human Races?Anthropology and the History of Race StudiesRace, Bioanthropology, and Social IssuesRace and IntelligenceRace and Athletic Ability
Contemporary Reflections: Are Genetic Ancestry Tests Worth the Money?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested Readings14 Biological Anthropology and Today's WorldForensic Anthropology: Reading the BonesLessons from the PastBioanthropology and Global Issues
Contemporary Reflections: What Can One Do with a Degree in Bioanthropology?SummaryQuestions for Further ThoughtKey TermsSuggested ReadingsAppendix I: Protein Synthesis and the Genetic CodeAppendix II: Genes in PopulationsGlossary of Human and Nonhuman PrimatesGlossary of TermsReferencesCreditsIndex
