Human Biological Variation

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in the study of race, human diversity, and genetics.

Race

A socially constructed category used to classify humans based on physical characteristics.

Eugenics

A set of beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of a population.

Francois Bernier

A 17th-century scientist who classified humans into four or five species or races.

Carolus Linnaeus

An 18th-century biologist who classified humans within a taxonomy along with many other species.

Homo sapiens ferus

The classification for wild men as per Linnaeus.

Homo sapiens monstrous

Classification for various 'monsters' found in Linnaeus’s taxonomy.

Johann Friedrich Blumenbach

An 18th-century scientist who proposed a classification system with five races.

Caucasian

A race category introduced by Blumenbach that he described as beautiful and likely original.

Mongolian

A race category in Blumenbach's classification pertaining to the Asian race.

Ethiopian

Blumenbach’s term for the African race.

American

One of the races classified by Blumenbach.

Malay

Another racial category proposed by Blumenbach.

Human Biological Variation

Differences in physical traits among humans due to environmental factors.

Racial Variation

Superficial differences among races influenced by environment or lifestyle.

Polygenic Traits

Traits that are influenced by multiple genes.

Genetic Drift

A change in allele frequencies in a population due to random sampling.

Gene Flow

The transfer of alleles or genes from one population to another.

Natural Selection

The process through which traits increase in frequency based on their advantages for survival.

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

A principle that predicts allele frequencies in a non-evolving population.

Exogamy

The practice of marrying or mating outside one’s social group.

Endogamy

The practice of marrying within a specific social group.

Balanced Polymorphism

When two or more phenotypes are maintained in a population due to selective advantages.

Lactase Persistence

The ability to digest lactose into adulthood, a trait developed through biocultural evolution.

Founder Effect

Loss of genetic variation when a new population is established by a very small number of individuals.

Alleles

Different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.

Polymorphisms

Variations in a particular DNA sequence that occur among individuals.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an organism, which result from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual organism.

Bitter Taste Sensitivity

A genetic trait where certain individuals can taste the bitterness of certain compounds, like PTC.

Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC)

A compound used to study taste sensitivity inherited through genetics.

Population Genetics

The study of genetic variation within populations and how it changes over time.

Human Population Genetics

The field that examines genetic differences within and between human populations.

SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism)

A variation at a single position in a DNA sequence among individuals.

Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA)

Proteins that play a crucial role in the immune system and are highly polymorphic.

Antigens

Molecules capable of inducing an immune response, often found on surface of cells.

Mendelian Traits

Traits that are determined by a single gene.

Assortative Mating

A mating pattern where individuals with similar phenotypes mate more often than expected.

Inbreeding

Mating between closely related individuals, increasing the likelihood of homozygosity.

Homozygosity

The presence of two identical alleles for a particular trait in an individual.

Incest Taboos

Cultural rules prohibiting incestuous relationships.

Dynamic Perspective

An approach to understanding race that considers change over time and context.

Geographic Variation

Differences in traits that occur in different geographic locations.

Human Diversity

The range of different physical and cultural traits present in human populations.

Sociocultural Factors

Social and cultural influences that affect human behavior and traits.

Physical Appearance

Observable traits of an individual influenced by genetic and environmental factors.

Intellectual Capabilities

Cognitive abilities often mistakenly linked with race.

Moral Capabilities

Ethical or moral reasoning abilities believed to vary among races.

Superficial Variation

Minor physical differences observed in different races that do not reflect deeper biological differences.

Cultural Groups

Social groups defined by shared culture, language, or heritage.