Human biology

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the academic journal, see
Human Biology (textbook)
.

Human biology is an interdisciplinary area of academic study that examines

sociocultural influences.[1] It is closely related to the biomedical sciences, biological anthropology and other biological fields tying in various aspects of human functionality. It wasn't until the 20th century when biogerontologist, Raymond Pearl, founder of the journal Human Biology, phrased the term "human biology" in a way to describe a separate subsection apart from biology.[2]

It is also a portmanteau term that describes all biological aspects of the human body, typically using the human body as a type organism for

Mammalia, and in that context it is the basis for many undergraduate University degrees and modules.[3][4]

Most aspects of human biology are identical or very similar to general mammalian biology. In particular, and as examples, humans :

History

The study of integrated human biology started in the 1920s, sparked by Charles Darwin's theories which were re-conceptualized by many scientists. Human attributes, such as child growth and genetics, were put into question and thus human biology was created.

Typical human attributes

The key aspects of human biology are those ways in which humans are substantially different from other mammals.[5]

Humans have a very large brain in a head that is very large for the size of the animal. This large brain has enabled a range of unique attributes including the development of complex languages and the ability to make and use a complex range of tools.[6][7]

The upright stance and

bipedal locomotion is not unique to humans but humans are the only species to rely almost exclusively on this mode of locomotion.[8] This has resulted in significant changes in the structure of the skeleton including the articulation of the pelvis and the femur
and in the articulation of the head.

In comparison with most other mammals, humans are very

long lived[9] with an average age at death in the developed world of nearly 80 years old.[10] Humans also have the longest childhood of any mammal with sexual maturity
taking 12 to 16 years on average to be completed.

Humans lack

axillary and pubic
regions, in terms of protection from cold, humans are almost naked. The reason for this development is still much debated.

The human eye can see objects in colour but is not well adapted to low light conditions. The sense of smell and of taste are present but are relatively inferior to a wide range of other mammals. Human hearing is efficient but lacks the acuity of some other mammals. Similarly human sense of touch is well developed especially in the hands where dextrous tasks are performed but the sensitivity is still significantly less than in other animals, particularly those equipped with sensory bristles such as cats.

Scientific investigation

Human biology tries to understand and promotes research on humans as

experiments and observations, to detail the biochemical and biophysical foundations of human life describe and formulate the underlying processes using models. As a basic science, it provides the knowledge base for medicine. A number of sub-disciplines include anatomy, cytology, histology and morphology
.

Medicine

The capabilities of the human brain and the human dexterity in making and using tools, has enabled humans to understand their own biology through scientific experiment, including dissection, autopsy, prophylactic medicine which has, in turn, enable humans to extend their life-span by understanding and mitigating the effects of diseases.

Understanding human biology has enabled and fostered a wider understanding of mammalian biology and by extension, the biology of all living organisms.

Nutrition

Main article: Human nutrition

Human nutrition is typical of mammalian omnivorous nutrition requiring a balanced input of

UV
light from the sun on the skin. This capability may be widespread in the mammalian world but few other mammals share the almost naked skin of humans. The darker the human's skin, the less it can manufacture Vitamin D3.

Other organisms

Human biology also encompasses all those organisms that live on or in the human body. Such organisms range from

helminths such as liver flukes through to bacterial and viral pathogens
. Many of the organisms associated with human biology are the specialised biome in the large intestine and the biotic flora of the skin and pharyngeal and nasal region. Many of these biotic assemblages help protect humans from harm and assist in digestion, and are now known to have complex effects on mood, and well-being.

Social behaviour

Humans in all civilizations are social animals and use their language skills and tool making skills to communicate.

These communication skills enable civilizations to grow and allow for the production of art, literature and music, and for the development of technology. All of these are wholly dependent on the human biological specialisms.

The deployment of these skills has allowed the human race to dominate the terrestrial biome[11] to the detriment of most of the other species.

References

  1. ISBN 1118108043
    . Page 4-5.
  2. ^ "Human Biology - Definition, History and Major". Biology Dictionary. 2017-05-26. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  3. ^ "BSc Human Biology". Birmingham University. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  4. ^ "SK299 Human biology". The Open University. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  5. ^ "The traits that make human beings unique". BBC. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  6. ^ "What makes humans special?". London School of Economics and Political Science. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  7. ^ "We are humans". Australian Museum. 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  8. S2CID 1015247
    .
  9. ^ "The tricks that help some animals live for centuries". BBC. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Life expectancy for men and women". WorldData.info. 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  11. doi:10.1126/science.277.5325.494
    . Retrieved 28 February 2021.

External links
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