Anthropology: Evolutionary Theory and Physical Anthropology

Flashcards covering key concepts of evolutionary theory, natural selection, adaptation, and related terms in physical anthropology.

Natural Selection

Biological change based on the reproductive success of individuals within a species due to their adaptive fitness to the environment.

Adaptation

The adjustment of an organism to a particular set of environmental conditions, typically a slow process.

Species

A group of organisms that can produce fertile offspring among themselves but not with any other group.

Agents of Selection

Factors that influence the reproductive success of individuals with certain genes, including disease, climate, predation, survival, and fertility.

Charles Darwin

A British geologist and biologist known for his contributions to evolutionary biology and for coining the idea of 'natural selection.'

Evolution

The process through which species change over time due to natural selection and other mechanisms.

Body Type as Environmental Adaptation

Body shape adaptations that help organisms maintain body heat in cold climates or dissipate heat in hot climates.

Skin Color as Environmental Adaptation

Variation in skin color based on geographic location and adaptation to sunlight exposure, with darker skin concentrated in equatorial regions.

Reproductive Success

The production of offspring that survive to maturity, often influenced by an individual's traits and adaptations.

Descendants of Common Ancestor

The theory that humans and apes evolved from a shared ancestor, supported by genetic research.