PřF:Bi8260 Human variability - Course Information

Bi8260 Variability and adaptability of human population

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)

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 18. 2. to Fri 17. 5. Tue 16:00–17:50 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 7 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 an oral exam. In order to pass the exam successfully the student must prove good knowledge of the issues discussed during classes and in the required reading.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further Comments

Study Materials
The course is taught annually.

• Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2019, recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2019/Bi8260