Exam 4
Most scientists agree that there was an initial dispersal of Homo ________ out of Africa. a. erectus b. heidelbergensis c. rudolfensis d. habilis
erectus
Which of the following is the best skeletal indicator of sex? a. the skull b. the pelvis c. the torso d. the femur
the pelvis
Explain the role of molecular genetics and human origins, including the role of mitochondrial, Y-chromosome, nuclear, and ancient DNA in testing models for human origins.
-Ancient DNA suggests that fossil H. sapiens of Europe are more similar to living humans than they are to fossil Neandertals from Europe of the same geologic age. -The last common ancestor for all H. sapiens is reconstructed to be approximately 200,000 to 800,000 years ago based on various kinds of DNA comparisons. -A few fossils show introgression from the Neandertal to the human genome, but the lineages are largely distinct.
Discuss bioarchaeology after the origin of modern humans, including the settlement of the New World and the Pacific Islands, and explain how subsistence changes, such as the origin of agriculture, affected the skeleton.
-Dispersal into the New World and Pacific are the last of the initial dispersals by humans into "hominin-free" ecosystems. -H. sapiens disperses into the New World by at least 13,000, the Pacific by 3500 years ago. -These late dispersals are characterized by heavy direct and indirect human influences on the ecosystems into which they move. After these migrations, human migration involves one set of humans colonizing another. -Colonization of one group of humans by another has both physical and cultural consequences. -Colonization of the New World facilitated the spread of disease between the New and Old Worlds; skeletal evidence suggests tuberculosis originated in the New World. -Colonization of the Pacific influenced traditional religious practices and changed, for example, how the dead were buried. -The shift from hunting and gathering to farming in some regions shows a decrease in leg strength, suggesting that agriculture was less physically demanding. -The shift to sedentism, even without a shift to farming, increases population density, which is correlated with increasing evidence of nutritional stress (e.g., rates of infection, decreased stature, developmental defects), and often interpersonal violence.
Describe the archaeology of modern human origins, including how the Upper Paleolithic, or Later Stone Age, differs from Middle and Early Stone Age tool technologies. Describe the behavioral differences and role of symbolism in the Upper Paleolithic.
-Earliest AMH are found with Middle Stone Age technologies. -Upper Paleolithic technologies are more typical of most AMH-associated finds. -Symbolic behavior, as represented by personal ornaments, portable art, cave art, and burials, seems an increasingly important part of how H. sapiens organized the world, suggesting that symbolism had important survival value.
Discuss the anatomy and distribution of early humans around the world.
-The earliest anatomically modern humans appear in Africa about 195,000 years ago. -They first appear outside Africa in the Near East around 100,000 years ago. -AMH disperse into Island Southeast Asia and Australasia by 50,000 years ago. -The modern human face is reduced in size, with a reduced brow, presence of a canine fossa, and presence of a true chin. -The vault is large and parallel sided with the greatest breadth high on the parietals, and a distinct mastoid process. -The postcranium is relatively gracile compared to Neandertals or archaic H. sapiens.
Discuss how data from paleontology, archaeology, and genetics are used to interpret models of human origins.
-Two models for the origins of modern humans have been proposed: replacement and multiregional models. -Genetic, archaeological and anatomical data are combined to address each model. -Anatomical and archaeological evidence of overlapping lineages support replacement. -Small amounts of genetic introgression from Neandertals to AMH rules out complete replacement.
In which age group would you expect senescence? a. 18-23 years old b. 40-45 years old c. 5-10 years old d. 10-15 years old
40-45 years old
Which of the following is most likely to interest a bioarchaeologist? a. determining the cause of death for individuals in a mass grave in Iraq b. identifying the skeletal changes in a population through the transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural society c. identifying the recent remains of a shallow grave in the woods d. exhuming and identifying the remains after an earthquake in Nepal
identifying the skeletal changes in a population through the transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural society
Cro-Magnon are anatomically modern H. sapiens, which are characterized by __________ and __________. a. small brain size; a prominent jaw b. limited brow ridge development; a rounded cranium c. prominent eyebrows; a gracile jaw d. robust cranial features; a sloping forehead
limited brow ridge development; a rounded cranium
Which of the following would you expect in Upper Paleolithic burial sites? a. multiple, carefully arranged bodies b. ancient writing c. metal pendants d. iron tools
multiple, carefully arranged bodies
In mass fatality incidents, forensic anthropologists can provide vital assistance with morgue operations, family assistance centers, and ________________. a. humanitarian aid b. burial of remains c. search and recovery d. archaeological analysis
search and recovery
Which of the following demonstrates technical intelligence? a. the ability to read and respond appropriately to the emotions of group mates b. the ability to use tools to extract food from the natural environment c. the ability to navigate through complex environments d. the ability to remember the locations of fruiting trees during different seasons
the ability to use tools to extract food from the natural environment
Compare and contrast the two major models of modern human origins: replacement and multiregional. Review the archaeological and molecular genetic evidence for modern human origins and how paleontology, archaeology, and genetics are interpreted.
- Replacement scenarios hypothesize a single, probably African, origin of modern humans, with subsequent dispersal into the Old World and replacement of archaic hominins by H. sapiens. -They predict little or no gene flow between modern humans and earlier hominins in the various regions of the Old World. -Replacement scenarios predict anatomically distinct, temporally overlapping lineages of hominins in each region of the world. And they predict possible disjunction in the archeological and genetic records. -Multiregional scenarios hypothesize that the origin of modern humans is the result of the diffusion of the genetic underpinnings of the modern human phenotype among multiple archaic hominins from multiple regions via gene flow. -Multiregional models indicate significant regional input into the modern human gene pool. They predict single, evolving lineages with the presence of intermediate fossil forms in each region. And they predict continuity of behavior (as inferred from the tool types). -They predict genetic contribution from archaic to modern populations in a region and greater similarity between archaic hominins and modern H. sapiens in a region.
Carbohydrate consumption in the contemporary and Paleolithic diets is identical in which aspect? a. Carbohydrates in both diets are the same with regard to total intake. b. Carbohydrates in both diets are mainly derived from cereal grains. c. Carbohydrates in both diets are mainly derived from animal meats. d. Carbohydrates in both diets are mainly derived from fruits and vegetables.
Carbohydrates in both diets are the same with regard to total intake.
__________ features best indicate the physical differences between archaic Homo sapiens and Neandertals. a. Limb b. Cranial c. Post-cranial d. Dental
Cranial
Bioarchaeologists examine remains from the more recent ____________ period. a. Pliocene b. Holocene c. Miocene d. Eocene
Holocene
Which of the following has resulted from DNA analyses attempting to identify the most recent common ancestor of contemporary humans? a. The large amount of genetic data collected has produced one complete phylogenetic tree. b. The genetic data has been fully corroborated by fossil remains. c. Genetic data from various sources place modern human origins in Africa. d. A consistent MRCA date has been validated through modern mtDNA, Y-chromosome, nuclear, and ancient DNA data.
Genetic data from various sources place modern human origins in Africa.
A thrifty genotype is one that is ________________. a. efficient at converting food into energy b. efficient at storing food in the form of fat c. efficient at adapting to the current nutritional environment d. efficient at burning excess calories
efficient at storing food in the form of fat
By studying the growth and development stages of flies that consume a decaying body, a(n) __________ can help determine when someone died. a. forensic paleontologist b. forensic entomologist c. forensic odontologist d. archaeologist
forensic entomologist
Which of the following are early human remains found in the United States? a. Kennewick Man b. Hoyo Negro girl c. Monte Verde remains d. the Lapita people
Kennewick Man
Identify the anatomical characteristics that signal the emergence of modern humans, and explain how they diverge from earlier hominins.
Modern humans are recognized by more gracile skeletons and rounder crania than other hominins and first appear in the record of Africa around 200,000 years ago.
How do the disposable soma hypothesis and pleiotropic gene hypothesis view young and old organisms? a. Free radicals are solely responsible for the aging process. b. Old organisms are not as evolutionarily important as young organisms. c. The fitness of an organism increases after menopause. d. Natural selection operates on the traits of old organisms more than young organisms.
Old organisms are not as evolutionarily important as young organisms.
Which of the following is a difficulty associated with reconstructing a Paleolithic diet? a. The modern lifestyle requires a high expenditure of energy, which could not be sustained by the low-quality food of a Paleolithic diet. b. The modern environment no longer contains the dietary components that hunter-gatherers would have subsisted on. c. Paleolithic hunter-gatherers lived in large, permanently settled groups and their diets were consistent across different regions of the world. d. Paleolithic hunter-gatherers were adapted to an unpredictable dietary lifestyle that also included increased energy expenditure.
Paleolithic hunter-gatherers were adapted to an unpredictable dietary lifestyle that also included increased energy expenditure.
What does the grandmothering hypothesis suggest? a. Postmenopausal women can provide inclusive fitness benefits for their children. b. Reproductive fitness increases after the onset of menopause. c. Menopause is a byproduct of longer lifespans but holds no evolutionary value. d. Women will enter menopause around the age of 50, which is when they lose all of their available oocytes.
Postmenopausal women can provide inclusive fitness benefits for their children.
Which of the following best expresses the growth trend observed in primates? a. Growth spurts continue until death. b. The length of each growth stage increases as life span increases. c. All parts of the body mature simultaneously. d. Growth only occurs during the gestational stage of life.
The length of each growth stage increases as life span increases.
Which of the following is true of the skeletons of the Lake Mungo site in Australia? a. They are representative of the interbreeding of H. erectus with anatomically modern H. sapiens. b. They are complete remains from multiple individuals buried with flake tools and evidence of watercraft. c. They are the earliest known examples of anatomically modern H. sapiens' mortuary practices, such as cremation and covering the body with red ochre before burial. d. They show that modern humans appeared in Australia later than they appeared in Europe.
They are the earliest known examples of anatomically modern H. sapiens' mortuary practices, such as cremation and covering the body with red ochre before burial.
A body left in/on the __________ would decay much more quickly than a body left in/on the ________________. a. Virginia forest; Arizona desert b. Arctic tundra; Brazilian rainforest c. Swiss Alps; Rocky Mountains d. Australian Outback; Illinois prairie
Virginia forest; Arizona desert
Which of the following would provide evidence supporting the multiregional model? a. no genetic admixture evident in ancient mtDNA b. early modern humans looking very different from already present, local populations c. regional continuity occurring only in the source region of Africa d. early modern humans in a particular region sharing a suite of anatomical features
early modern humans in a particular region sharing a suite of anatomical features
Which type of data supports the replacement model for modern human origins? a. Y-chromosome data b. local regional anatomical continuity in fossil hominin remains c. X-chromosome data d. the occasional appearance of occipital buns in modern human crania
Y-chromosome data
Which of the following is an example of pleiotropy? a. a gene that causes an abnormal form of an enzyme, which interrupts DNA replication b. the decline in physiological functioning that begins at 20 years old c. oxygen free radical damage, which results in physiological changes over the lifespan d. a gene for calcium metabolism that helps a young animal heal, but may cause heart disease in an adult animal
a gene for calcium metabolism that helps a young animal heal, but may cause heart disease in an adult animal
A forensic anthropologist often works with _______________. a. a few bones and some soft tissue b. between 30 and 100 bones c. a partial skeleton d. a complete skeleton
a partial skeleton
Which of the following characteristics is a good indicator that the remains being examined are modern and not archaic Homo sapiens? a. large brain size b. large teeth and jaws c. the absence of a canine fossa d. an obvious chin
an obvious chin
The vertebrate immune system identifies ________ and synthesizes _________ in response. a. antigens; antibodies b. B lymphocytes; helper T cells c. antibodies; antigens d. immunoglobulins; B lymphocytes
antigens; antibodies
Using archaeological evidence alone to determine members of the genus Homo is difficult because _______________. a. tool traditions share many similarities b. Homo did not use tools c. Homo only used tools made of wood d. there are no suitable sites containing Homo remains
tool traditions share many similarities
A ____________ is when a disease affects a population that has never been previously exposed. a. biocultural epidemic b. plague c. prion disease d. virgin soil epidemic
virgin soil epidemic
The answer to the question, "Where did modern humans come from?" __________. a. was well established in the 1980s when DNA research first began b. will constantly change as new biological and cultural remains are found and new dating techniques are developed c. will be well established within the next two decades d. was well established in the 1950s when DNA was discovered
will constantly change as new biological and cultural remains are found and new dating techniques are developed