Genetics of Bitter Taste Perception

Associated Resources

• 79

  

  Science Talks

  Bones, Stones, and Genes: The Origin of Modern Humans

  Where and when did humans arise? What distinguishes us from other species? Did our distant ancestors look and behave like us?
• 21

  

  Science Talks

  Genetics of Human Origins and Adaptation

  Genetic evidence shows that humans evolved in Africa and continue to evolve.
• 12

  

  Science Talks

  Stone Tools and the Evolution of Human Behavior

  Stone tools are well-preserved evidence of past human activity.
• 9

  

  Science Talks

  Hominid Paleobiology

  The hominid fossil record of the past six million years gives us surprising insights into the path of human evolution.
• 7

  

  Science Talks

  Human Evolution and the Nature of Science

  How reasoning and evidence are used to understand human evolution.
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  Science Talks

  Reporting Scientific Results to the Public

  Second discussion in the 2011 Holiday Lectures on human evolution, on how to effectively report scientific results to the general public.
• 729

  

  Click & Learn

  Creating Phylogenetic Trees from DNA Sequences

  This Click and Learn explains how DNA sequences can be used to generate such trees, and how to interpret them. English version is ADA accessible.
• 727

  

  Click & Learn

  Regulation of the Lactase Gene

  Lactase persistence results from a mutation that changes how transcription factors interact, thereby affecting gene expression.
• 493

  

  Click & Learn

  Skeletons Reveal Human and Chimpanzee Evolution

  Comparing features of a 4.4-million-year-old fossil skeleton to those of human and chimpanzee skeletons sheds light on our evolutionary history.
• 450

  

  Click & Learn

  Recent Adaptations in Humans

  Lactose tolerance, sickle cell anemia, and bitter taste perception are three examples of recently evolved human traits.
• 181

  

  Click & Learn

  Using the Scientific Process to Study Human Evolution

  Paleoanthropology provides an excellent example of the scientific process at work. Also available in Spanish.
• 140

  

  Animations

  Regulation of Eukaryotic DNA Transcription

  General transcription factors, activators, and repressors interact to regulate the transcription of eukaryotic DNA into RNA.
• 79

  

  Animations

  Lactose Digestion in Infants

  The lactase enzyme is produced in the small intestine of infants. It digests lactose by breaking it into glucose and galactose.
• 66

  

  Animations

  Natural Selection of Lactose Tolerance

  Environmental and cultural factors can affect whether a new human mutation becomes common in a population.
• 222

  

  Posters

  Human Evolution Within the Tree of Life

  The poster from the 2011 Holiday Lectures on Science, Bones, Stones and Genes: The Origin of Modern Humans. It provides a unique look at the classic "tree of life" and features a timeline of various hominid fossils and their stone tool usage.
• 15

  

  Clips

  Stratigraphic Principles

  Dr. John Shea demonstrates the two main principles in the study of rock layers: superposition and association.
• 9

  

  Clips

  Rift Valleys of Africa and Plate Tectonics

  African rift valleys were formed by the separation of tectonic plates. Water flows down to the valley floors, creating rivers and lakes.
• 8

  

  Clips

  Making Stone Tools by Flintknapping

  Stone tools similar to those found at prehistoric archaeological sites can be made by fracturing rocks, a technique known as flintknapping.
• 

  Clips

  Comparing Human and Chimpanzee Tool Use

  Chimpanzees are capable of using rocks as tools to crack nuts for eating. But they don't appear to use sharp-edged tools.
• 

  Interviews

  Interview with Tim White, PhD

  Dr. White talks about his passion both for his fieldwork and for educating the scientists of tomorrow.
• 

  Interviews

  Interview with Josh Carlson

  Mr. Carlson outlines the path that he took to becoming a graduate student in the White lab, including his experience as a chef.
• 

  Clips

  Dung Beetles and their Fossilized Evidence

  Fossilized dung beetle balls are part of a comprehensive fossil collection project to reconstruct the habitat of Ardipithecus ramidus.
• 

  Interviews

  Interview with John Shea, PhD

  Dr. Shea discusses his early interest in anthropology, how field work has changed over the years, and his outside interests.
• 

  Clips

  Floods Supply Sediments for Fossil Formation

  The floor of a rift valley is prone to periodic floods that carry in fine silt--the sedimentary matter responsible for fossil formation.
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  Clips

  Classifying Stone Tools

  Prehistoric stone tools are classified into six broad technological modes by the level of sophistication and method of fabrication.
• 

  Clips

  The Delicate Process of Excavating and Cleaning Fossils

  Fossils are extremely fragile. Scientists remove them in a protective layer of plaster and clean sand away one grain at a time.