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

Invertebrate

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

An animal that lacks an internal skeleton. All animals other than fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are invertebrates. Approximately 95% of all animals are invertebrates.

An alternate form or variety of a gene. The alleles for a trait occupy the same locus or position on homologous chromosomes and thus govern the same trait. However, because they are different, their ...

Dominant allele

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

An allele that masks the presence of a recessive allele in the phenotype. Dominant alleles for a trait are usually expressed if an individual is homozygous dominant or heterozygous.

Mutation

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

An alteration of genetic material such that a new variation is produced. For instance, a trait that has only one allele (A) can mutate to a new form (a). A mutation can be a change in DNA bases or ...

Mutagen

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

An agent that can cause a mutation to occur. Various kinds of chemicals, viruses, and radiation have been identified as mutagens.

Cerebral edoema

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

An abnormal accumulation of fluid around the brain causing it to swell. This potentially life threatening condition can be caused by hypoxia at high altitude. See pulmonary edema.

Punctuated equilibrium

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

An evolutionary history in which a species remains essentially unchanged for hundreds of thousands or even millions of years and then experiences short periods of very rapid evolution. The ...