Wt is the def. of adaptation, in a anthropology view point?

Question

Wt is the def. of adaptation, in a anthropology view point?

Answer 1

An adaptation is a behavioral or physical change that allows organisms to live better and longer in their environment.  This in turn allows them to produce more offspring and be reproductively successful.

An example of an adaptation from a social/cultural anthropology perspective would be the practice of siestas in hot climates.  People take refuge, nap and otherwise slow down during the hottest part of the day.  This way they are productive when it is cool and less liable to succumb to heat stroke.  This ensures longer survival and more genes passed on.

An example of an adaptation from a physical anthropology perspective is the elongated finger of the Aye Aye, a pro simian from Madagascar.  This finger allows them access to insect holes so they can eat the insects.  This is an amazing source of protein for little work.  The payoff, longer survival and more genes passed on.

Adaptations are important because they drive evolution.  If an adaptation allows individuals to live better and longer they will have more offspring and pass on more genes.

Answer 2

Adaptation are those features / qualities that allow a species to survive in its environment.  

If an environment changes, those individuals that are able to survive will reproduce, passing along the beneficial traits.  If none can, then the species becomes extinct.

Anthropologists don't know for certain why no other Homo species survived, although it is always interesting to speculate.   For a long time, anthropologists assumed that is was our more highly developed brain.  Then "Lucy"  - the skeleton of a small-brained creature with a human-like knee joint - demonstrated that bipedalism came first.

Answer 3

There are many forms of anthropological studies.

Adaptation is a series of micro changes in genetics through evolution for any given species to adapt to it's stable or altered environment for the purposes of survival. Some species change rapidly, although this is more a behavioural adaptation then a physical one.

Physical adaptation is clearly visible in those species in extreme environments. Penguins are an excellent example as some have adapted to our coldest and warmest climates and have thus flourished.