Bi8260 Variability and adaptability of human population

Faculty of Science
Spring 2021
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. RNDr. Miroslav Králík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Mikoláš Jurda, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Daniel Angelo Gaudio, PhD (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Miroslav Králík, Ph.D.
Department of Anthropology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. RNDr. Miroslav Králík, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Anthropology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 1. 3. to Fri 14. 5. Tue 10:00–11:50 online_B3
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
  • 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, thermoregulation, 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, persistence of lactase activity in adulthood, starvation, BMI index, overweight, obesity 7) Inflammatory and chronic diseases, allergies, 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 structure and surnames 10) Comparisons between genetic, morphological and linguistic variations within and between populations
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 is concluded with a written test and an oral exam, following successful passing of the test. The test consists of 30 questions with 1-4 correct answers, determining the level of knowledge acquired throughout the semester. For each correct answer, the relative score is added (0.25–1, depending on the number of correct answers in the given question). For each selected wrong answer, one-third of a point is deducted. This means that the whole point for one question will be awarded only for choosing all the correct answers and only them. A minimum of 20 points is required to pass the test. The oral exam will consist of two drawn questions. To successfully pass the exam, a good knowledge of the lectures and the compulsory literature is required. The test and the oral exam will be conducted in the Czech language. Depending on the current epidemiological situation, testing will take place either in distant form 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 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2021/Bi8260