Anthropology and Human Evolution

These flashcards cover key concepts in anthropology and human evolution as discussed in the lecture notes.

What is the key focus of physical anthropology/biological/evolutionary anthropology?

It studies biological evolution, genetic inheritance, physical adaptation of humans, and fossil remains.

Who first connected humans as dynamic beings that change over time?

Georges-Louis Leclerc, Count of Buffon, in 1749.

What did Carlo Linnaeus contribute to the classification of humans?

He created a systematic taxonomy and first designated our species as Homo sapiens in his 1758 'Systema Naturae'.

What was the significance of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954?

It ruled that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.

What did Johann Blumenbach study in the field of anthropology?

He studied human skulls and introduced a measurement methodology to describe skull variability.

What did Charles Darwin's theory of evolution explain about species?

Evolution refers to changes over time, resulting in the formation of new species from common ancestors.

What did Svante Pääbo become known for?

He is considered the father of paleogenomics and studied ancient DNA.

What is significant about the time frame of the geological eras in the context of anthropology?

The Pleistocene and Holocene eras correspond to the significant developments of humans.

What important theory did Stephen J. Gould propose?

He proposed that evolution is not linear but rather bushy, with multiple species coexisting in time and space.

What was the role of molecular anthropology in recent years?

It offers sophisticated technical achievements like the recovery of DNA from fossilized remains.

What does the 'Know thyself' motto relate to in human classification?

It relates to Linnaeus's taxonomy of humans within the primate family.

What does a molecular clock indicate in anthropological studies?

It helps estimate divergence times of different species based on genetic changes.

What defines the concept of 'evolutionary stasis' as per Gould's theory?

Periods of little or no change interrupted by rapid evolutionary shifts.

How does anthropological genetics contribute to understanding human ancestry?

It analyzes genetic composition to trace back shared ancestry between humans and their relatives.

In what year did Buffon introduce the concept of species adaptation to environments?

In 1749.

What are the implications of the findings of DNA from teeth in archeological contexts?

They provide insights into ancient diets and health based on isotopic analysis.

How do physical anthropologists use the human skeleton in studies?

They analyze it to reconstruct past lifestyles, health statuses, and demographic information.

What is the impact of climate change and habitat shifts on evolutionary processes?

They have significant roles in shaping species survival and adaptation strategies.

What is a common misconception about the concept of race in anthropology?

Biological races do not exist in humans; variations are only environmental adaptations.

Who proposed the theory of genetic drift and what does it explain?

Motoo Kimura proposed it, explaining how allele frequencies change due to random sampling.

According to Darwin, how did environment affect species?

Environmental pressures determine which species thrive and reproduce.