Biological anthropology

For undergraduate introductory physical anthropology, biological anthropology or human origins courses.

Biological Anthropology, 2/e continues to build upon the strength and success of the first edition by integrating the foundations and the most current innovations in the field from the ground up.

Over the past twenty years, this field has rapidly evolved from the study of physical anthropology into biological anthropology,incorporating the evolutionary biology of humankind based on information from the fossil record and the human skeleton,genetics ofindividuals and of populations, our primate relatives, human adaptation, and human behavior.The second edition of Biological Anthropology combines the most up-to-date, comprehensive coverage of the foundations of the field with modern innovations and discoveries.

Introduction: What Is Biological Anthropology?

The Scope Of Biological Anthropology

The Roots Of Modern Biological Anthropology

Anthropology And Its Other Subfields

Summary Critical Thinking Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings

Part I: Mechanisms of Evolution

Chapter 1: Origins of Evolutionary Thought

What Is Science?

The Early Thinkers

The Road To The Darwinian Revolution

The Darwinian Revolution

The Response To Darwin

Science And Creationism

Summary Critical Thinking Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings

Chapter 2: Genetics: Cells and Molecules

Genetics

The Cell

DNA Structure And Function

Molecular Tools For Bioanthropological Research

Summary Critical Thinking Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings

Chapter 3: Genetics: From Genotype to Phenotype

From Genotype To Phenotype

Mendelian Genetics

Mutation

Genetics Beyond Mendel

Phenylketonuria: Illustrating Mendelian And Post-Mendelian Concepts

Genes And Environments

Summary Critical Thinking Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings

Chapter 4 : The Forces of Evolution and the Formation of Species

How Evolution Works

Classification And Evolution

Levels Of Selection

Summary Critical Thinking Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings

Chapter 5: Human Variation: Evolution, Adaptation, and Adaptability

Human Variation At The Individual And Group Level

Historical Perspectives On Human Variation

Population Genetics

Polymorphisms And Natural Selection In Human Populations

Adaptation And Adaptability

Summary Critical Thinking Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings

Part II: PRIMATES

Chapter 6: The Primates

The Primate Radiation

A Guide To The Nonhuman Primates

Primate Ecology

Primate Communities

Summary Critical Thinking Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings

Chapter 7: Primate Behavior

Studying Primates

The Evolution Of Primate Social Behavior

Why Are Nonhuman Primates Social?

Reconstructing The Evolution Of Primate Societies

Summary Critical Thinking Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings

Part III: PALEONTOLOGY AND PRIMATE EVOLUTION

Chapter 8: Fossils in Geological Context

How To Become A Fossil

The Importance Of Context

How Old Is It?

The Earth In The Cenozoic

Summary Critical Thinking Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings

Chapter 9: Origin of Primates

The Mesozoic And Beyond

Changes In The Paleocene: Origin Of The Primates?

Early Primates Of The Eocene

Evolution Of Higher Primates

Molecular Evolution In Primates

Summary Critical Thinking Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings

Chapter 10: Becoming Human: The Ape-Hominid Transition

Becoming a Biped

The Transition to Human Behavior

Summary Critical Thinking Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings

Part IV: The Human Fossil Record

Chapter 11: Early Hominids

Will You Know A Hominid When You See One?

The First Hominids?

Australopithecus And Kin

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