Biological Anthropology

     Biological anthropologists (or physical anthropologists) focus on understanding human beings as biological organisms. Biological anthropologists study the physical remains of humans and pre-human ancestors, biological variation among contemporary peoples, and non-human primates. Some of the specialties of biological anthropologists include work as primatologists, paleoanthropologists, and forensic anthropologists. For more, see the film clip What in the World is Biological Anthropology?

What in the World Is Biological Anthropology?

     Primatologists seek to gain insight into the human experience by studying the closest relatives of human beings: apes, monkeys, and prosimians. The apes include the great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans) and the lesser apes (gibbons and siamangs). Monkeys include both the Old World monkeys from Asia and Africa (such as macaques and baboons) and the New World monkeys from Central and South America (such as squirrel monkeys and woolly monkeys). Prosimians are another category of non-human primate. These are small, primarily nocturnal primates found only in the Old World. The majority of the prosimian species are found on the island of Madagascar off the coast of Africa.

     Originally, the discipline of primatology was intended to develop insights into human evolution through non-human primate models for how prehuman ancestors may have behaved. Over time, as the discipline of primatology has expanded, many studies of wild primates are undertaken solely to understand the ecology and behavior of apes, monkeys, and prosimians. Many primatologists today study wild primates in order to gain information that will aid in their conservation, for many wild primate species are threatened or critically endangered.

     Paleoanthropologists seek to understand human evolution over time through the study of human and pre-human ancestors (hominids). Traditionally, paleoanthropologists studied the fossilized bones and teeth of human ancestors, and the associated stone tools. However, over the last several decades, DNA analysis (such as the study of mitochondrial DNA) has become an increasingly important method used to reconstruct the human evolutionary record and trace the migrations of people in the distant past. The methods of molecular biology have become just as important a tool for paleoanthropologists as are fossils in understanding human evolution.

     Other biological anthropologists are interested in understanding human biological diversity in contemporary cultures. In terms of biological and genetic make-up, human beings across the globe are far more alike than they are different. However, some micro-evolutionary processes in recent human history have resulted in some genetic differences in human beings who have either adapted to differing environmental conditions, or have been geographically separated over long periods of time. For example, some human populations who use cattle for food over time have the genetic adaptation of lactose tolerance, meaning that they are able to drink milk after early childhood. Other populations developed sickle cell anemia as a defense against malaria as discussed in the film clip The Evolution of Sickle Cell Malaria. Features such as nose shape, skin color, and even oxygen capacity of the lungs are influenced by environmental conditions such as sunlight intensity, humidity, and altitude.

Evolution of Sickle Cell Malaria