Biological Anthropology Exam 1 Syracuse University

The study of human biology within the framework of evolution and with an emphasis on the interaction between biology and culture.

An approach to research whereby a question is asked, a hypothesis is stated, and that hypothesis is tested by collecting and analyzing data.

A change in the genetic structure of a population. this term is also frequently used to refer to the appearance of a new species.

The study of the biology and behavior of nonhuman primates (promisians, monkeys, and apes).

The interdisciplinary approach to the study of earlier homonids, their chronology, physical structure, archaeological remains, habits, etc.

An applied anthropological approach dealing with legal matters. forensic anthropolgists work with coroners, police, and others in identifying and analyzing human remains.

A Swedish naturalist who established a method for classifying plants and animals.used genus and species termiology and established binomial nomenclature system. this sytem became basis for taxonomy. included humans with genus homo and species sapiens. believed in fixity of species.

Suggested a dynamic relationship between species and the environment such that if physical environment changed, an animal's activity patterns would also change. GIRAFFE EXAMPLE! theory known as the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

The notion that species, once created, can never change; an idea diametrically opposed to theories of biological evolution.

Introduced concept of extinction to explain disappearance of animals represented by fossils. insisted on fixity of species. proposed theory of catastrophism. opponent of Lamarck.

Theory proposed by Cuvier. view that the earth's geological landscape is teh result of violent cataclysmic events. cuvier's version: a series of regional disaters had destroyed most/all plant/animal life and areas were restocked w/ new similar forms that migrated in from unaffected regions. incoming migrants had more modern appearance b/c they were results of more recent creation events.

Considered founder of modern geology. argued that geological processes at work in the present are the same ones that occured in the past (uniformitarianism). concept of "deep time". believed earth must be much older than previously thought.

Elaborated on by Charles Lyell. the theory that the earth's features are the result of long-term processes that continue to operate in the present as they did in the past. opposes catastrophism. contributed to concept of immense geological time.

Wrote essay about prinicples of population. population size increases exponentially, but food supply remains relatively stable. this results in competition for resources.

Figured out that natural selection is the mechanism of evolution and that natural selection acts on individuals and evolution acts on populations. the selective agent is nature. traveled on the HMS Beagle to the Galapagos Islands and looked at the finches.