Encephalization and bipedalism are just a few of the complex characteristics that make up the human condition. This book shows how cellular processes have contributed to the evolution of the primate brain and the muscles and bones associated with bipedalism. It encourages researchers to use evolutionary cell biology to better understand the genotype-phenotype map of primate diversification, human variation, and human evolution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Many complex traits define the human condition, including encephalization and bipedalism. The specific molecular signals and cellular processes producing these traits are the result of dramatic evolutionary change. At the same time, conservation of many of these developmental programs underlies both structure and function. Novel methodologies and techniques allow analysis of the collective behavior of cells, cell shapes, tissues, and organs. This volume demonstrates the essential role of cellular mechanisms in the evolutionary increase in the size and complexity of the primate brain. In addition, and concordant with encephalization, this book documents changes in the muscles and bones associated with the appearance of bipedalism. Genetic changes are the basis of these evolutionary changes, but transformation of genetic information into phenotypic outcomes occurs at the level of the cell, and this is the focus of the book. The goal is to encourage others to adopt evolutionary cell biology as a novel and necessary approach to the genotype-phenotype map of the diversification of primates, human variation, and human evolution. The contributors to this book utilize advances in genetic analysis, visualization of cells and tissues, and the merging of evolutionary developmental biology with evolutionary cell biology to address questions central to understanding the human and primate evolution.

Key Features

Explores mechanisms underlying trait distribution, dispersal, variation, and evolution through the direct testing of hypotheses, especially with respect to patterns of encephalization, certain sensory modalities, and growth and life history specializations.

Documents the advantages for anthropologists to work at the level of cells, focusing on how genes provide instructions for the development and function of cells and tissues.

Highlights the importance of studying cell and tissue diversity in understanding the evolution of complex traits, such as brain size and complexity.

Discusses the use of advanced genetic analysis techniques, such as single-cell RNA sequencing and CRISPR-Cas9, to study cell and tissue diversity and evolution.

Explores the integration of evolutionary developmental biology with evolutionary cell biology to better understand the origins.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032072715