Final answer:
Molecular anthropology is a subfield of biological anthropology that focuses on using genetic data to research human origins, evolution, and diversity, as well as studying primates and ancient human migration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Focus of Molecular Anthropology:
The focus of molecular anthropology within the field of anthropology is to understand the biological underpinnings of human development, diversity, and evolution. This subfield of biological anthropology leverages genetic data to investigate human origins and migrations, analyzes fossils to decipher our evolutionary path, and observes primates to determine shared traits with humans. It delves deeply into questions like what makes humans unique and how various environmental and evolutionary pressures have shaped us. Molecular anthropology also incorporates genetic anthropology, which combines DNA analysis with archaeological and historical data to trace ancient human migratory patterns and disease histories.
This specialized area of anthropology aligns with an academic and applied discipline, utilizing evolutionary theory to interpret human physical characteristics, behaviors, and cultural developments over time.