Bi8260 Variability and adaptability of human population

Faculty of Science
Spring 2011 - only for the accreditation
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. RNDr. Václav Vančata, CSc. (lecturer)
doc. RNDr. Petra Urbanová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Jaroslav Malina, DrSc.
Department of Anthropology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. RNDr. Petra Urbanová, Ph.D.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 10 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The main objective of the course is to provide an overview on origins of genotypic and phenotypic variations in modern human populations in relation with adaptation mechanisms and strategies. At the end of this course the students should be able to: explain the principles of human variability origination (selection, genetic drift etc.); list and describe the qualitative traits of variability (pigmentation, color of the eyes, color, shape and structure of hair etc.); define and explain the variability of quantitative traits (meric characteristics, body proportions); explain the principles of physiological, genetical and cultural adaptation; interpret and compare the genetic and phenotype variability.
Syllabus
  • 1) Origin and causation of genotypic and phenotypic variations in humans (recombinations, genetic drift, selection, plasticity), quantification of human diversity 2) Historical overview to a term "race", typology of humans, racism, concept of race in modern science 3) Qualitative traits - distribution, pigmentation, eye color, hair color, morphology and structure, termoregulation, melanine and its importance in organism and in evolution 4) Quantitative traits - distribution, genetics of quantitative traits, body proportions, stature 5) Polymorphisms - HLA systems, ABO blood groups 6) Metabolism and nutrition strategies - basal metabolism, lactase intolerance, starvation, BMI index, overweight, obesity 7) Inflammatory and chronic diseases, alergies, congenital diseases 8) Ecological Anthropology. Adaptation, adaptability, acclimation, Bergmann's and Allen's rules 9) Interactions between physical, physiological and cultural adaptations, genetic, morphological and ethnical differences, population strukture and surnames 10) Comparisons between genetic, morphological and linguistic variations within and between populations
Literature
  • MORAN, Emilio F. Human adaptibility : an introduction to ecological anthropology. 2nd ed. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 2000, xxvi, 446. ISBN 0-8133-1254-X. info
  • Human variability and plasticity. Edited by Barry Bogin - C. G. N. Mascie-Taylor. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995, xiv, 241. ISBN 0521453992. info
  • BENEŠ, Jan. Homo sapiens sapiens : hominizace ve světle biologických behaviorálních a sociokulturních adaptací. Vyd. 1. V Brně: Univerzita J. E. Purkyně, 1990, 219 s. ISBN 8021001739. info
  • BENEŠ, Jan. Ekologie člověka. Vyd. 1. Praha: Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1985, 287 s. info
Teaching methods
Theoretical preparation in form of lectures, adequately complemented with multimedial presentations (video).
Assessment methods
The course is concluded with a written test.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.