Intro to ANTH C3:

Biocultural

Human biology with culture- Relating to the interaction between biological and cultural factors that shape human outcomes, such as health, adaptation, and evolution.

Essentialism

asserts that all objects, people, or concepts have an underlying essence that makes them what they fundamentally are. - Organisms have an ideal form and actual living versions of any organism are minor deviations from their ideal type

Taxonomy

(Carl Von Linn) System of naming and classifying organisms- organism not ranked- they equal

Adaptation

Development of traits that plays a functional role in the ability of a life form to survive

Binomial nomenclature

Two-name naming system Organism form (genus) + more specific (species) = Linnaean system

Phylogeny

Family tree ts- traces evolutionary history

Shared Characteristics

Traits or structures that are shaped by all or most species in a group because of common ancestors.

Derived characteristics

Unique to species- evolved after two or more species who shared a common ancestor diverged- appear in most common ancestor, but not distant ones

Shared Derived Characteristics

Traits that evolved after all the species being compared shared a common ancestor, but prior to some more recent speciation events IE: Humans and apes have larger brain compared to brains of monkeys.

Modern Synthesis

Four processes in evolution- mutation, natural selection, gene flow, and genetic drift

Population

cluster of individuals of the same species who share a common geographical area and find their mates in their own cluster

Genes

Building blocks of our bodies, basic units of information- a way to pass biological information to offspring

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Genes are segments of the filaments of “‘ , which consist of molecules that reside in each cell in spiral shape

Replication

DNA ability to copy itself

Mitosis

Creation of two new cells out of one cell- by process of division

Meiosis

Only occurs in only one set of specialized cells (sperm and egg)

Protein Synthesis

Function of DNA: Polypeptide changes shape and folds itself, acquiring a specific chemical structure. The DNA is the “code” (gene) or sets of basic info about the right seq of amino acids to create particular polypeptide, which will create protein

Alleles

Variations of the same gene

Mutation

Change in DNA sequence- creates variation

Reproductive Success

An organism’s number of surviving offspring

Phenotype

Observable and measurable physical traits of an organism

Genotype

Genetic component

Gene Flow

movement of alleles with and between populations

Genetic Drift

Change in genetic variation from one generation to another caused by random factors- accidents, who gets a mate, ect- other events that change the makeup of the population

Founder Effect

loss of genetic variation when a new population is founded by a small number of individuals

Extended Evolutionary Synthesis

Not only genes but also constructed during developmental process- expansion of traditional evolutionary theory that incorporates additional mechanisms beyond genetic variation, including developmental processes, phenotypic plasticity, epigenetic inheritance, and niche construction.

Developmental Bias

Idea that not all variations come about randomly- organisms undergo developmental process- in conjunction with natural selection

Plasticity

Form of developmental bias- organism responds to environment by changing during its lifetime- modification, then mutation/ gene selection

Niche Construction

process by which organisms actively modify their environment, which can then influence their own evolution or that of other species.

Extra- Genetic Inheritance

Observation that parents and social groups create environment for their offspring that can aid in adaptive success

Constructivist Approach

Core dynamic of human biology and culture- emphasizes learners actively constructing their own knowledge through experiences, reflection, and social interaction.

Epigenetic System of inheritance

transmission of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype that occur without alterations in the underlying DNA sequence.

Behavioral System of Inheritance

refers to the transmission of behaviors, skills, or learned patterns from one generation to the next through social learning, imitation, or teaching rather than through genetic means.

Symbolic system of inheritance

conceptual framework describing the ways in which cultural, social, and symbolic meanings—rather than strictly biological traits—are transmitted across generations

Anthropocene

proposed geological epoch marked by the significant global impact of human activities on Earth's geology and ecosystems.

Developmental Systems Theory

theoretical perspective that views biological and psychological development as the result of ongoing, bidirectional interactions between genes, environmental factors, and epigenetic influences, emphasizing that no single factor solely drives developmental outcomes.

Geneticization

Use of genetics to explain health and social problems rather than other possible causes