Final answer:
Biological anthropology is the branch of anthropology focused on human biological variation and classification, examining human origins, evolution, and diversity through fields like paleoanthropology, primatology, and genetic anthropology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The branch of anthropology that deals with human biology, physical variation, and classification is known as biological anthropology. Also referred to as physical anthropology or evolutionary anthropology, it is concerned with human origins, evolution, and diversity. Biological anthropology includes studies of human biological variation, paleoanthropology (human and primate evolution), primatology (the study of nonhuman primates), bioarchaeology (the study of bones at archaeological sites), and genetic anthropology. This field seeks to understand questions about what it means to be human by exploring our species' deeper past through scientific and humanistic lenses.
Biological anthropologists may work in academic settings, in departments such as anthropology, biology, genetics, or zoology. Their research is grounded in evolutionary theory, including principles of natural selection that were first proposed by Charles Darwin. In summary, biological anthropology strives to understand how humans evolve and adapt, offering insights into humanity’s ancient ancestors and our current physical characteristics and behaviors.