Your mini-essay should be approximately 1-2 paragraphs long, approximately 200-300 words, and should include at least 2 citations total to your textbook Larsen, Clark Spencer (2022). Essentials of Biological Anthropology Essentials of Biological Anthropology: Exploring Human Evolution, Genetics, and Diversity

Essentials of Biological Anthropology: Exploring Human Evolution, Genetics, and Diversity

Biological anthropology is a field of science that studies the biological and behavioral aspects of humans, as well as their closest relatives, the non-human primates. It investigates the biological and cultural influences that shape humans’ evolutionary history and explores the physical and genetic diversity of humans. This field of anthropology is often divided into four subdisciplines: paleoanthropology, primatology, human genetics, and biocultural adaptation (Haviland, 2020). Paleoanthropology is the study of the origins and evolution of the human species. It focuses on the fossil record of human ancestors, as well as the archaeological sites where they were found. It also draws on the evidence of human behavior and its development over time. Primatology is the study of non-human primates, such as apes and monkeys. It covers their anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology (Relethford & Harpending, 2016). Human genetics is the study of human genetics and the genetic diversity of humans. It looks at the genetic variations that exist within populations and how these variations have evolved over time. Finally, biocultural adaptation looks at how humans have adapted to different environments, as well as the biological and cultural processes that shape human behavior. Cont…