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Paleoanthropology is the study of the origins and predecessors of the present human species, using fossils and other remains. This field helps us understand the evolutionary history of hominins.

The dental formula expresses the number of each type of tooth in one half of the mouth for a species. It is significant for distinguishing between different primate species and understanding their dietary adaptations.

Sexual dimorphism refers to the differences in size or appearance between the sexes of a species. In anthropology, it helps us understand mating systems, social structures, and roles of extinct species.

Homo habilis is an early species of the genus Homo and is thought to have lived around 2.8 to 1.5 million years ago. It is known for its association with the first stone tools in the archaeological record.

Anthropometry involves the measurement and analysis of the human body. It is used in physical anthropology to assess evolutionary and environmental influences on human physical variation.

The Out of Africa Theory posits that modern humans evolved in Africa and then dispersed across the globe, replacing local hominid populations. It is significant for understanding the spread of Homo sapiens.

Hominins include modern humans, their direct ancestors, and relatives more closely related to us than to chimpanzees. The study of hominins gives insight into human evolution and the development of unique human traits.

Osteology is the study of the structure and function of the skeleton and bony structures. In anthropology, it helps to reconstruct lifestyles, health, and the evolution of extinct species.

Oldowan tools are the earliest known stone tool industry in prehistory, typified by simple choppers and flakes. They are attributed to Homo habilis and indicate the beginning of technological and cognitive development.

Primatology is the scientific study of primates, including apes, monkeys, and prosimians. It is significant in physical anthropology for understanding human behavior and evolution through the study of our closest living relatives.

Neanderthals were a group of archaic humans that lived until about 40,000 years ago, primarily in Europe and parts of western Asia. They are known for their robust build, adaptation to cold climates, and a culture that included sophisticated tools and likely symbolic practices.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited maternally and does not recombine. It provides a powerful tool for tracing maternal lineage and understanding human migration patterns.

Bipedalism refers to the ability to walk on two legs, which is a key characteristic of humans and our hominin ancestors. It is significant because it led to anatomical changes conducive to long-distance travel, tool use, and changes in social interaction.

Mousterian tools are stone tools associated with the Neanderthals of Europe and parts of western Asia. They reflect complex tool-making skills and the cognitive abilities of Neanderthals.

Mendelian Inheritance refers to the patterns of inheritance for traits as determined by single genes according to the principles established by Gregor Mendel. It is the basis for understanding genetic variation and evolution.

The Multiregional Hypothesis proposes that modern humans evolved from archaic humans across various regions simultaneously, with continuous gene flow preventing speciation. It stands in contrast to the Out of Africa theory.

Human variation refers to the genetic and phenotypic variability within the human species. It is significant for understanding patterns of health, disease, and adaptation to different environments.

Australopithecus is a genus of hominins that lived between 4 and 2 million years ago, known for their bipedal locomotion and small cranial capacity relative to Homo sapiens.

Cranial capacity is the volume of the braincase and is an indicator of brain size. In physical anthropology, it is used to explore cognitive development and differences among hominin species.

Taphonomy is the study of the processes that affect organisms as they become fossilized, including decomposition, transport, and burial. It's essential for understanding the conditions under which fossils are found and preserved.

Genetic drift is the change in the frequency of a gene variant in a population due to random sampling. It is significant because it can lead to the loss or fixation of alleles over time, affecting genetic variation in small populations.

The Encephalization Quotient (EQ) is a measure of brain size relative to body size, which is used as a rough estimate of an animal's cognitive abilities. Humans have the highest EQ among primates, indicating high intelligence.

Hominid is a family that includes orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and all humans including extinct species. Its study sheds light on the evolution of apes and humans, highlighting morphological and genetic similitudes and differences.

Y-Chromosome Analysis is used to study patrilineal inheritance since Y-chromosomes are passed from fathers to sons. It helps trace male lineage and contributes to studies of human migration and population structure.

A cline refers to a gradational change in a trait or frequency of a trait over geographic space. It is important in the study of human adaptation and evolution, demonstrating how populations change incrementally across regions.

Phylogeny is the evolutionary history and relationships among a group of organisms. In physical anthropology, phylogenetic trees help illustrate the evolutionary relationships of humans and other primates.

Allopatric speciation occurs when biological populations of the same species become isolated from each other to an extent that prevents or interferes with genetic interchange, possibly leading to the emergence of new species.

The postcranial skeleton includes all of the bones below the skull. Physical anthropologists study the postcranial remains of extinct species to understand their locomotion, behavior, and how they interacted with their environment.

The foramen magnum is the large opening at the base of the skull where the spinal cord exits. Its position is used to infer bipedal or quadrupedal locomotion in fossil specimens, contributing to theories of human evolution.