Final answer:
The term for the part of culture expressed as objects used to manipulate environments by humans is called material culture. It includes a wide range of created artifacts, from ancient tools to modern electronics, and is contingent on their use within human group contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The part of culture that is expressed as objects that humans use to manipulate environments is called material culture. This term encompasses all the physical objects or artifacts that humans create, including tools, clothing, buildings, artwork, and technology. Material culture is directly influenced by the environment in which people live, as they develop specific objects to adapt to their surroundings, whether they are natural or modified. Technology is a component of material culture that refers to the specialized knowledge and skills used to create these objects. Both contemporary electronic devices and ancient tools such as obsidian blades are considered material culture produced through specialized technologies.
It's important to understand that not all material objects are part of material culture; they must be made and used by humans within a group context. For example, an apple tree becomes part of material culture when it is cultivated in an orchard for human consumption, while a tree in a natural forest does not fall under this category.