Physical anthropology

Physical anthropology

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

Industry: Anthropology

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Physical anthropology

stabilizing selection

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Selection against extreme forms 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 in the ...

binocular vision

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Seeing with two eyes that have an overlapping field of view. This is essential to stereoscopic vision.

Sections of DNA molecules that do not code for proteins but still perform important functions. Apparently, some are enhancers or suppressors of genes. About a fourth of DNA consists of introns. The ...

sedimentary rock

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Rock formed from sediments usually eroded from older rock or inorganic remains of organisms (e.g., shells and skeletons). Examples: sandstone, shale, and limestone.

index fossil

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Remains of a plant or animal of a species that is known to have lived only during a specific time period. The discovery of such a fossil in an archaeological site is circumstantial evidence of the ...

kinship

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Relationships that are recognized between individuals based on family ties. Among humans, those ties are created by marriage and shared descent from ancestors. Among non-human primates, they are due ...