Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
and importance of such methods to biodistance analyses and uncovering population history
is discussed.
Chapter 13 investigates bone and dental histology. It therefore first provides a review of
histological structures and a discussion of the utility of histological methods to assist with
development of the biological profile and human versus nonhuman animal determinations.
The methods involved in this research area include embedding the material in resin and
cutting thin sections of the tooth or bone, and this chapter provides useful step-by-step
instructions for the aspiring histologist, which can be supplemented with information
from the literature. Discussion includes how histological analyses can also inform investiga-
tions of taphonomy, biomechanics, and pathology.
Chapter 14 covers the theory of functional adaptation of human bone, often referred to as
Wolff's Law (whether correctly or incorrectly), and in so doing, introduces the basics of bone
biomechanics and functional morphology. Medical imaging technologies provide noninva-
sive and highly sophisticated methods to analyze bone strength properties via analysis of
bone shape or density. Biplanar radiographs can provide rough approximations of three-
dimensional shape. The preferred method, computed tomography (CT), provides essentially
a three-dimensional digital radiograph and is the preferred noninvasive method in research
on cross-sectional geometry. The material properties of bone density are investigated using
dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or CT. Other methods reviewed, but less common
for research in skeletal biology include peripheral quantitative CT, magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), and ultrasonography.
Chapter 15 evaluates the contribution that stable isotope analysis has made to skeletal
biology over about the past 30 years. As the value of isotopes has been increasingly realized,
they are more frequently being used for bioarchaeological applications. A number of ques-
tions are addressable via isotope analysis, in particular those pertaining to paleodiet, residen-
tial mobility, and migration patterns. This chapter discusses the types of questions
answerable via isotope analysis in addition to presenting the anthropological significance
of several isotopes. Standard methods for data collection (i.e., extraction of bone biological
apatite and collagen) are presented in addition to an overview of the sophisticated analysis
equipment involved. Further, the potential forensic applications of isotopes are briefly
outlined.
Chapter 16 focuses on DNA analysis, beginning with a review of basic concepts in
genetics. It provides a history of genetics in anthropology and evolutionary theory (in terms
of population genetics), and therefore outlines the four forces of evolution with examples.
Theory, methods used, and interpretation of molecular data are fully explored, including
a discussion of the special case that degraded DNA presents to the researcher. It further
tackles how the application of DNA analysis to the question of human variation has informed
that debate.
Part IV: Completing and Cultivating the Scientific Process
Finally, Part IV: Completing and Cultivating the Scientific Process concludes the volume with
two chapters. The end stage of the scientific process involves disseminating information to
a wider audience. As such, the topic would not be complete without a chapter covering in
detail how to do library research, present original work, and publish journal articles. The
