Physical anthropology

Physical anthropology

The branch of anthropology that studies the development of the human race in the context of other primate species.

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Physical anthropology

Venus figurines

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Small carvings of women that could fit into the hand made by the Cro-Magnon people. They were not portraits but rather faceless idealized representations of well fed, healthy, usually pregnant women ...

homoplasies

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Similar anatomical structures in different species that were not present in their common ancestor. Homoplasies are also referred to as homoplastic structures or features. Homoplasies can be due to ...

SRY gene

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Sex-determining region Y gene. A gene on the Y chromosome which, if present and functioning, causes the undifferentiated sex organs of an animal embryo to become testes. These then produce the ...

undernourishment

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Severe deficiency of calories in the diet. Prolonged undernourishment can result in marasmus which is a wasting away of the body. See malnourishment.

anticodons

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Sequences of three nucleotide bases on a transfer RNA molecule that can pair with a specific messenger RNA Codon.

directional selection

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Selection for or against one extreme of a trait. In the case of polygenic traits that are expressed as a continuum of phenotypes, such as human stature, it would be selection for people who are ...

disruptive selection

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Selection for both extremes of a trait and against the middle. In the case of polygenic traits that are expressed as a continuum of phenotypes, such as human stature, it would be selection for both ...