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

Chromosome

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

A discrete, thread-like, gene-carrying body in the nucleus of a cell. Chromosomes are composed primarily of DNA and protein. They are visible only under magnification during certain stages of cell ...

Heterozygous

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

A genotype consisting of two different alleles of a gene for a particular trait (Aa). Individuals who are heterozygous for a trait are referred to as heterozygotes. See homozygous.

Prostate gland

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

A gland surrounding the urethra at the base of the bladder. It secretes most of the seminal fluid that is expelled with sperm cells during ejaculation.

Relative date

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

A date that gives the time of an event only with reference to another event that is not worldwide in scale. It only indicates that one event occurred earlier or later than another. For instance, the ...

Amniocentesis

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

A diagnostic procedure for pregnant women to determine whether or not their foetuses have gross chromosomal anomalies. It involves sampling the liquid immediately surrounding a foetus within the ...

Argon-40/argon-39

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

A radiometric dating method based on the changing ratio of argon-40 to argon-39 with the passage of time in volcanic rock or ash. This technique was derived from potassium-argon dating. The ...