Human Biological Variation

by James H. Mielke, Lyle W. Konigsberg, John H. Relethford

This text explores human biological variation in its broadest sense--from the molecular to the physiological and morphological--focusing on the micro-evolutionary analysis of genetic variation among recent human populations. Authoritative yet accessible, Human Biological Variation opens with
an introduction to basic genetics and the evolutionary forces that set the stage for understanding human diversity. It goes on to offer a detailed and clear discussion of molecular genetics and its uses and relationship to anthropological and evolutionary models. The text features up-to-date
discussions of "classic" genetic markers (blood groups, enzymes, and proteins), along with extensive background on DNA analysis and detailed coverage of satellite DNA, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), Alu inserts, and the coalescent model. The book addresses such current issues as the meaning
and significance of "race," quantitative genetics and the "nature versus nurture" debates, biocultural interactions, population structure, and cultural and historical influences on patterns of human variation.
Human Biological Variation lucidly explains the use of probability and statistics in studies of human variation and adaptation, keeping the mathematics at the level of basic algebra. It also presents computer simulations in a manner that makes complex issues easily understandable. Integrating
examples on topics that are of particular interest to students--including dyslexia, IQ, and homosexuality-- Human Biological Variation provides the most thorough thorough view of our biological diversity and is ideal for upper-level undergraduate and graduate classes on human adaptation and
variation.

Genres: Anthropology, Genetics, Textbooks, Reference, Science, Nonfiction

432 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2005

Reviews

[skye rogue]

Almost free of Anthro GOD BLESS

[Sheri Fresonke Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good basic explanations about human genetics, but occasionally falls into just plain mathematics without coming back to why a concept is important to human development. Discusses specifics about where problems arise or how populations are evaluated statistically regarding a trait, flaw, disease.

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would like this better if I didn't have to read it for class :/

[Loran (Inked with Curiosity) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a required textbook for my Human Variation and Adaptation class. Honestly I was really looking forward to taking this class but I have completely hated it AND the textbook. This is meant to be an introductory text but it reads like stereo instructions. It's so dry and boring and goes way beyond the basic scope of beginning anthropology. I am personally not scientifically inclined so the fact that this book assumes everyone is completely familiar with the building blocks was very difficult to overcome. The book also primarily uses case studies to try and teach a point which wasn't very effective and came off as more like rambling than educating. Pages and pages of each chapter will be nothing but lines of DNA coding and letter sequences which are impossible to remember and don't really mean anything to an introductory student like me who is already lost and confused. To make matters worse my professor was a terrible lecturer and didn't provide enough information in class to pass the tests so I had to rely on this text as my primary source for learning the class material which became a long and tedious task. I cannot begin to tell you how frustrating I found this book to use as a learning supplement. While I can say I did learn a few things and there were one or two case studies I did enjoy, the majority of this textbook was a painful and slow endeavor to get through and I'm glad to be finished with it.