Final answer:
Biological anthropology is the study of human biological variation through time and as it exists today, encompassing the biological and sociocultural development, diversity, and evolution of humans. This field applies natural selection principles to understand how environmental and genetic factors contribute to human variability. It includes the study of morphology, biochemical differences, fossils, genetics, and evolutionary processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of human biological variation through time and as it exists today is known as biological anthropology. This field focuses not only on the biological and sociocultural development from the earliest origins of our species, but it also closely examines the profound diversity found within contemporary human populations. Details such as morphology, including height and facial features, and biochemical differences, like variations in genetic mutations and skin pigmentation, are aspects of human diversity that biological anthropologist's study.
Rooted in evolutionary theory, this discipline applies natural selection principles to comprehend the ongoing evolutionary process that contributes to human variability. Factors such as environmental conditions, social status, healthcare access, nutrition, and myriad other influences substantially affect human biological variation, alongside genetic factors like mutation, gene flow, and genetic drift.
The scope of biological anthropology is vast, ranging from forensic studies to biohistorical research. It includes analyses of fossil records to trace human evolution, genetic studies to understand the distribution of traits, and comparative studies with primates to explore unique human characteristics. By embracing this comprehensive approach, biological anthropology seeks to provide insights into how humans have evolved to adapt to diverse environments and what this means for our health, societies, and the planet.