chap 2 + 3 + 4 anthro

Genes

The portion of a DNA molecule that directs the synthesis of specific proteins.

Natural selection

The evolutionary process through which factors in the environment exert pressure, favoring some individuals over others to produce the next generation.

DNA

The genetic material consisting of a complex molecule whose base structures direct the synthesis of proteins.  

Genome

The complete structure sequence of DNA for a species.

Chromosome

In the cell nucleus, the structure visible during cellular division containing long strands of DNA combined with a protein.

Mitosis

A kind of cell division that produces daughter cells that are genetic copies of the parent.

Meiosis

A kind of cell division that produces the sex cells, each of which has half the number of chromosomes found in other cells of the organism.

Phenotype

The observable characteristic of an organism that may or may not reflect a particular genotype due to the variable expression of dormant and recessive alleles.

Genotype

The alleles an individual possesses for a particular trait.

Gene Pool 

All the genetic variants possessed by a member of the population.

Sickle-Cell Anemia

A disease in which oxygen-carrying red blood cells change shape (sickle), clogging the finest parts of the circulatory system.

Punctuated Equilibria  

A model of macroevolutionary change that suggests evolution via long periods of stability or stasis punctuated by periods of rapid change.

Anthropocentrism

The belief that humans are central or most impotent entity in the universe.

Habituation

A behavioral response decrement that results from repeated stimulation and that does not involve sensory adaptation/sensory fatigue or motor fatigue.

Adaptive Radiation

The rapid diversification of an evolving population as it adapts to a variety of available.

Clade

A taxonomic grouping that contains a single common ancestor and all of its descendants. hominoid – The taxonomic superfamily within the old-world primates that includes gibbons, siamangs, orangutans, gorillas, chimps. Bonobos, and humans.

Hominid

The African hominoid family that humans and their ancestors. Some scientists – recognizing the close relationship of humans, chips, bonobos, and gorillas- use the term hominid to refer to all African hominoids. They then divide the hominid family into two subfamilies: The Paninae (chimps, bonobos, and gorillas) and the Homininae (humans and their ancestors)

Hominin

The taxonomic subfamily or tribe within the primates that includes humans and our ancestors.

Dental Formula

The number of each tooth type (incisors, canines, premolars, and molars) on one half of each jaw. Unlike other mammals, primates possess equal numbers on their upper and lower jaws, making the dental formula for the species a single series of numbers.

Sexual Dimorphism

Within a single species, differences between males and females in the shape or size of a feature not directly related to reproduction, such as a body size or canine tooth shape and size.

Stereoscopic Vision

Complete three-dimensional vision, or depth perception, from binocular vison and nerve connections that run from each eye to both sides of the brain, allowing nerve cells to integrate the images derived from each eye.

Ecological Niche

A species’ way of life considered in the full context of its environment including factors such as diet, activity, terrain, vegetation, predators, prey, and climate.

Foramen Magnum

A large opening in the skull; the spinal cord passes through this opening to connect to the brain.

Prehensile

Having the ability to grasp.

Dominance Hierarchies

An observed ranking system in primate societies ordering individuals from high (alpha) to low standing corresponding to predictable behavioral interactions including domination.

Estrus

In some primate females, the time of sexual receptivity during which ovulation is displayed.

Tool

An object used to facilitate some task or activity. Although toolmaking involves intentional modification of the material of which it is made, too may involve objects either modified for some particular purpose of completely unmodified.