Bi8260 Variability and adaptability of human population

Faculty of Science
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Mikoláš Jurda, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. RNDr. Miroslav Králík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Paride Bollettin, MSc., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Miroslav Králík, Ph.D.
Department of Anthropology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Mgr. Mikoláš Jurda, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Anthropology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 19. 2. to Sun 26. 5. Thu 13:00–14:50 Bp1,01007
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 8 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.
Learning outcomes
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 (metric characteristics, body proportions);
- explain the principles of physiological, genetic and cultural adaptation;
- interpret and compare the genetic and phenotypical variability.
Syllabus
  • Historical approaches to human variability, racial theories, the concept of race in anthropology, racial theory today
  • Origins and causes of human genotypic and phenotypic variability (recombination, genetic drift, selection, plasticity), expression of phenotypic and genetic variance, concept of human variability in contemporary anthropology
  • Relation of variability and adaptability; adaptation, adaptability, acclimatization, limits of adaptation on individual and population level
  • Milestones on the path to modern human: early adaptations, encephalization, cultural adaptations, agricultural and industrial revolution, adaptations in modern civilizations
  • Pigmentation, eye color, hair color, morphology and structure of hair, the importance of melanin in the body and its role in human evolution, factors influencing pigmentation
  • Adaptation to physical environmental factors II: Adaptation to cold, heat, high altitude and zero gravity
  • Shape and size variability of modern human populations
  • Polymorphisms of blood groups, ABO system of blood groups, Rh system, relation of blood groups to infectious diseases, HLA system
  • Human hemoglobin variants, geographical distribution of the sickle cell anemia allele in relation to malaria and thalassemia, genetic variability
  • Food pyramid, specifics of human food adaptations, variability in values of basal metabolism, starvation, malnutrition, obesity
  • Human adaptation to various food sources, lactose tolerance, sensitivity to phenylthiourea
Literature
  • Mielke J. H., Konigsberg L. W., Relethford J. H. 2011. Human Biological Variation (2 ed.). New York - Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Bogin B., Mascie-Taylor C. G. N. (eds.). (1995). Human variability and plasticity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. xiv, 241. ISBN 0521453992.
  • 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
  • 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
Teaching methods
Theoretical preparation in form of lectures, adequately complemented with multimedia presentations (video).
Assessment methods
The course assessment comprises a written test and an oral exam, administered upon successful completion of the written test. The test consists of 30 questions, each with 1-4 correct answers, assessing the level of knowledge acquired throughout the semester. A relative score is assigned for each correct answer (ranging from 0.25 to 1), depending on the number of correct answers within the question. Additionally, 0.33 point is deducted for each incorrect answer selected. Consequently, full points for a question are only awarded for selecting all correct answers and no incorrect ones. A minimum score of 20 points is necessary to pass the test. The oral exam involves the selection of two questions. A comprehensive understanding of the lectures and compulsory literature is essential to pass the exam successfully. Both the test and the oral exam will be conducted in Czech. Depending on the prevailing epidemiological circumstances, testing may occur remotely or in person.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
General note: Předmět je vyučován převážně česky, některé přednášky jsou v angličtině.
Teacher's information
The course is mostly taught in Czech, some lectures are in English.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2011 - only for 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 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2024, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2024/Bi8260