Biological Anthropology Exam 1 Practice

Culture is the term that refers to the sum total of learned traditions, values, and beliefs of a group. It is learned and shared through socialization and interaction rather than inherited biologically, which is why members of the same group often think and behave in similar ways beyond their genetic makeup. Culture encompasses language, rituals, norms, symbols, technology, cuisine, and social roles, and it can vary widely between communities and shift over time as ideas spread.

Adaptation describes how organisms adjust to their environment, often in physiological or behavioral ways driven by natural selection. Evolution refers to genetic changes in populations across generations. Biocultural anthropology is the field that studies how biology and culture influence each other.