Chpt 1 Our Origins ANTH101 IQ
Which of the following things do biological anthropologists study? Page(s) 7-12
4 are correct 1 is not correct
Determine whether the following examples are primarily biological science or social science.
A biological anthropologist asks her study subjects to report how they breast feed their babies. Correct label: social science A biological anthropologist conducts interviews about how individuals in a family divide up food for each meal. Correct label: social science A biological anthropologist measures the bones of an early hominin. Correct label: biological science A biological anthropologist compares the teeth of a skeleton to police dental records to identify the remains of the deceased. Correct label: biological science A biological anthropologist collects samples to obtain genetic information from the feces of a gorilla. Correct label: biological science A biological anthropologist considers how a disease spreads based on how often family members interact. Correct label: social science
Place the following hypotheses about bipedalism in chronological order of when they were proposed in history.
Bipedalism is linked to a shift from life in the trees to life on the ground. The first hominins arose in the open grasslands of Africa from an extinct ape that was arboreal. Early hominins became bipedal while living in woodlands and spent a lot of time in trees, holding on to branches, moving from limb to limb.
What can human bones and teeth found in archaeological sites tell us about people?
Correct Answer(s) age at death personal life experiences sex stressors diet Incorrect Answer(s) their religion their relationships their intelligence
There are six branches, or subdisciplines, of anthropology. Page 5
False
Anthropology is the study of past peoples and cultures.
False - Anthropology is the study of humankind, viewed from the perspectives of all people and all times.
Science is limited to the knowledge of facts about the natural world.
False - Science is more than just knowing facts. Science is a process that requires observation.
The physical appearance of hominins and their descendants, including modern humans, has not changed over the past 6-8 million years.
False - The physical appearance of hominins and their descendants, including modern humans, has actually changed dramatically over the past 6-8 million years.
The physical appearance of hominins and their descendants, including modern humans, has not changed over the past 6-8 million years.
False -The physical appearance of hominins and their descendants, including modern humans, has actually changed dramatically over the past 6-8 million years.
Drag and drop the answer choices to finish the diagram of the scientific method.
Further tests: hypothesis supported - When a hypothesis is supported, scientists continue to re-test it to make sure that they continuously come up with similar results. New or revised hypothesis: hypothesis rejected (refuted) - When a hypothesis is rejected or refuted, scientists revise their original hypothesis using the new observations that they made. No matter what the result is, the method of scientific inquiry continues to feed back into itself until a hypothesis has been tested multiple times!
What is the difference between the type of hunting that humans started to do about a million years ago and the type of hunting that most other animals (nonhumans) do? Match the descriptions to the appropriate group.
Hunting is a highly organized activity. Correct label: humans They may travel long distances to reach their preferred prey. Correct label: humans Hunting is mostly an individual activity. Correct label: nonhuman animals Tools are generally not used to kill. Correct label: nonhuman animals
Sort the following answers based on whether or not they are included in the study of anthropology.
Included in Study of Anthropology studying the shape and form of pots from different prehistoric tribes in Africa uncovering and identifying remains of victims of disasters Not Included in Study of Anthropology studying chemical bonds between atoms within the human body studying the biology of a succulent plant species
Sort the following answers based on whether or not they are included in the study of anthropology.
Included in Study of Anthropology uncovering and identifying remains of victims of disasters studying the shape and form of pots from different prehistoric tribes in Africa Not Included in Study of Anthropology studying chemical bonds between atoms within the human body studying the biology of a succulent plant species
What does it mean to say that science is empirical?
It is based on evidence - After the systematic collection of observations, the scientist develops a theory—an explanation as to why a natural phenomenon takes place.
What was Charles Darwin's hypothesis about the origin of bipedalism?
It was caused by the shift from life in the trees to life on the ground Explanation: Darwin based his hypothesis on the anatomical differences between bipedal humans and living quadrupedal apes, the latter spending more time in rain forests than in open country. His observations lacked detail about the habitats apes or early hominins lived in, or the actual behavior of apes in the wild.
Your biological makeup is strongly influenced by your physical, social, and cultural environment. What does physical environment refer to in this context? (Select all that apply.)
Part(s) of Physical Environment the climate you live in the diseases you are exposed to your access to food and other resources the day-to-day physical activities you have to engage in medication your mother took when you were in the womb Not Part(s) of Physical Environment each choice you make regarding your friend groups your religion
Which of the following are subjects of scientific laws? Page 22
Subject(s) of Scientific Laws motion gravity thermodynamics Not Subject(s) of Scientific Laws evolution
What kind of primate is this and what is it doing?
This is an ape called a chimpanzee using a simple tool made out of a stick to fish for termites.
Watch the research video "Fossil Fraud" and answer the question that follows. Which of the following was an outcome of this fraudulent fossil?
Two new species were identified from the fossils that were used to build the composite. Explanation: Despite the forgery, the fossil was able to reveal two genuinely new species. The scientific method is the foundation of science and can identify how aspects of the natural world work. It is also self-correcting through the analysis of data and hypotheses
Human brains are_________ and have more _______ complex analytical skills than the brains of other animals.
bigger, more
Anthropology differs from other disciplines in its commitment to the notion that, unlike other animals, humans are _________________ .
both cultural and biological.
Biological anthropology is also known as ___________ anthropology.
physical
A disadvantaged _____ , such as one in which infants and children do not have access to high-quality food, can result in _______ _______ consequences such as poor health, reduced growth and height, and shortened life expectancy.
social environment, negative biological - Because of anthropology's biocultural approach, the discipline examines both the social and biological aspects of human life in depth.
Match each branch, or subdiscipline, of anthropology to its description.
the study of modern human societies through the analysis of the development and variation of culture Correct label: cultural anthropology the study of the evolution, variation, and adaptation of humans and their past and present relatives Correct label: biological anthropology the study of the construction, use, and form of language in human populations Correct label: linguistic anthropology the study of historic or prehistoric human populations through the analysis of artifacts and other material remains Correct label: archaeology
Approximately how many genes does the human genome include?
20,000-25,000 - The human genome, or all of the genetic material in a person, represents all of the traits that a person can inherit.
What can human bones and teeth found in archaeological sites tell us about people?
Correct Answer(s) sex diet age at death stressors personal life experiences Incorrect Answer(s) their intelligence their relationships their religion
Which of the following statements describes why the study of primate behavior and morphology is a part of biological anthropology?
Describes Why Primates are our nearest biological relatives. Does Not Describe Why Biologists do not want to study primates. Biological anthropology is a subdiscipline of biology, and primates are animals. Primates compete with humans for food and other resources. Explanation: While some humans live in areas where primates live, human activity endangers primates—usually not the other way around.
Which of the following are examples of anthropological pursuits?
Examples of Anthropological Pursuits modern-day scientists collecting plant and animal remains from places where people lived in the past modern-day scientists digging up skeletal remains dating from the 1500s and 1600s at Mission Santa Catalina de Guale modern-day scientists studying how the people who currently live in the Andes Mountains respond to low oxygen and extreme cold early scholars evaluating the relationships between humans living in Europe and those encountered in distant places fifteenth- and sixteenth-century European explorers documenting how people from other continents looked, talked, dressed, and behaved Not Examples of Anthropological Pursuits scientists studying dinosaurs and how they lived
Which of the following are examples of anthropological pursuits?
Examples of Anthropological Pursuits modern-day scientists studying how the people who currently live in the Andes Mountains respond to low oxygen and extreme cold modern-day scientists digging up skeletal remains dating from the 1500s and 1600s at Mission Santa Catalina de Guale early scholars evaluating the relationships between humans living in Europe and those encountered in distant places fifteenth- and sixteenth-century European explorers documenting how people from other continents looked, talked, dressed, and behaved modern-day scientists collecting plant and animal remains from places where people lived in the past Not Examples of Anthropological Pursuits scientists studying dinosaurs and how they lived
Although different academic disciplines, anthropology and history both study people from the same perspective.
False Explanation: Although there is some overlap, anthropology and history are separate disciplines for a reason. Anthropology studies humans as both biological and cultural beings, and emphasizes a holistic, comparative approach. History, by nature, focuses on humans as cultural beings, and does not often study humans before the development of writing. Each academic discipline that studies humans takes a different approach and perspective. Anthropology is especially unique because it combines the natural and social sciences, and embraces a more holistic, biocultural approach.
Scientists call the evidence that they gather information.
False Explanation: Scientists collect data. Data come in many shapes and sizes—numerical or descriptive. Data collection is an important part of the scientific process because it is what scientists use to answer questions and solve problems regarding the world around us.
Although different academic disciplines, anthropology and history both study people from the same perspective.
False - Although there is some overlap, anthropology and history are separate disciplines for a reason. Anthropology studies humans as both biological and cultural beings, and emphasizes a holistic, comparative approach. History, by nature, focuses on humans as cultural beings, and does not often study humans before the development of writing. Each academic discipline that studies humans takes a different approach and perspective. Anthropology is especially unique because it combines the natural and social sciences, and embraces a more holistic, biocultural approach.
Darwin's theory regarding the origin of bipedalism was ultimately accepted and remains central to our thinking about human evolution today.
False - As time went on, scientists learned more about the behavior and ecology of early hominins. They found out that bipedalism arose before a shift from the trees to the ground occurred. Science is a self-correcting approach to knowledge acquisition! As a hypothesis is re-tested, new evidence is provided, theories are subjected to the test of time, and science revises its own errors.
There are six branches, or subdisciplines, of anthropology.
False - Refer back to the chapter, and count as you go. Page 5
Scientists call the evidence that they gather information. Page 17
False - Scientists collect data. Data come in many shapes and sizes—numerical or descriptive. Data collection is an important part of the scientific process because it is what scientists use to answer questions and solve problems regarding the world around us.
Human beings are the only animal that have or can employ material culture.
False - Several other types of animals (including nonhuman primates) use tools to manipulate their environment. Still, these and other forms of material culture used by nonhuman species are nowhere near as complex as those created by humans.
What was Charles Darwin's hypothesis about the origin of bipedalism?
It was caused by the shift from life in the trees to life on the ground. Yes Darwin based his hypothesis on the anatomical differences between bipedal humans and living quadrupedal apes, the latter spending more time in rain forests than in open country. His observations lacked detail about the habitats apes or early hominins lived in, or the actual behavior of apes in the wild.
Which of the following are the six key attributes that make humans unique among living primates?
Key Attributes Unique to Humans bipedalism speech dependence on domesticated foods for most populations habitual and intensive hunting nonhoning chewing complex material culture and tool use Not Key Attributes Unique to Humans canine diastema no hyoid bone quadrupedalism
What makes human learning particularly unique?
Makes Humans Particularly Unique Humans pass information and culture from generation to generation. Does Not Make Humans Particularly Unique Humans are the smartest animals. Human individuals independently acquire all of the complex information that they need to survive. Humans can remember things. Explanation: This might be true, but it is not what makes human learning unique. Other animals can remember things too.
What makes human learning particularly unique?
Makes Humans Particularly Unique Humans pass information and culture from generation to generation. Does Not Make Humans Particularly Unique Humans can remember things. Humans are the smartest animals. Human individuals independently acquire all of the complex information that they need to survive.
Choose the landscape in which we currently hypothesize that early humans originated and became bipedal.
Middle picture - In 2001, a group of scientists discovered hominin bones in Ethiopia dating to around 5.2 to 5.8 million years ago. The curved morphology of the finger and toe bones of these fossils indicated that early hominins spent a significant amount of time in trees, moving from branch to branch.
Your biological makeup is strongly influenced by your physical, social, and cultural environment. What does physical environment refer to in this context? (Select all that apply.) Page 7
Part(s) of Physical Environment your access to food and other resources the diseases you are exposed to the climate you live in the day-to-day physical activities you have to engage in medication your mother took when you were in the womb Not Part(s) of Physical Environment your religion each choice you make regarding your friend groups
Match the following terms to their definitions.
Scientific theory - an explanation as to why a natural phenomenon takes place Correct label: scientific theory Scientific hypothesis - testable statement that attempts to explain an observation in the natural world Correct label: scientific hypothesis Scientific law - a statement of irrefutable truth regarding some action or actions that occur in the natural world Correct label: scientific law These three definitions are central to the scientific process. They are the basis of how we know what we know.
What is the difference between the type of hunting that humans started to do about a million years ago and the type of hunting that most other animals (nonhumans) do? Match the descriptions to the appropriate group.
They may travel long distances to reach their preferred prey. Correct label: humans Hunting is mostly an individual activity. Correct label: nonhuman animals Tools are generally not used to kill. Correct label: nonhuman animals Hunting is a highly organized activity. Correct label: humans
Which of the following things do biological anthropologists study?
Things Biological Anthropologists Study bones and teeth genetic history the social behavior of nonhuman primates the origins of language and speech Things Biological Anthropologists Do Not Study how learning how to dress is transmitted from generation to generation
Biological anthropologists use the term hominins to refer to the taxonomic group that includes bipedal human and humanlike ancestors, excluding living nonhuman primates.
True - This is an important term to commit to memory when studying biological anthropology.
Biological anthropologists use the term hominins to refer to the taxonomic group that includes bipedal human and humanlike ancestors, excluding living nonhuman primates. Page 7
True - This is an important term to commit to memory when studying biological anthropology.
Bipedalism is the term for walking on two feet.
True - This is an important word to know when talking about developments in human evolution.
What did Franz Boas contribute to the field of anthropology?
True Statement(s) about Franz Boas's Contributions Boas laid the foundation for the use of the scientific method in anthropology. Boas trained the first generation of American academic anthropologists. Boas brought together different perspectives in the study of human societies. False Statement(s) about Franz Boas's Contributions Boas rejected the previously held idea of cultural relativism.
What is true about social learning?
True Statement(s) about Social Learning Social learning has led to a human dependency on culture for survival. Social learning allows humans to pass on information over generations. False Statement(s) about Social Learning Social learning is practiced only by humans. Social learning occurs only in some cultures around the world.
Match the following terms to their definitions.
an explanation as to why a natural phenomenon takes place Correct label: scientific theory a testable statement that attempts to explain an observation in the natural world Correct label: scientific hypothesis a statement of irrefutable truth regarding some action or actions that occur in the natural world Correct label: scientific law
Forensic anthropology is the scientific examination of skeletons in hope of identifying who they were in life and what happened to them. To which of the following branches, or subdisciplines, of anthropology does forensic anthropology belong?
biological anthropology - The skeleton is part of a human morphology, meaning its biological or physical structure. Therefore, studying the skeleton is part of the subdiscipline of biological, or physical, anthropology.
Watch the Anthropology Matters video "The Anthropology of Decay" and answer the question that follows. How can a bioarchaeologist determine where someone grew up? Page(s) 2.0-21
by analyzing the isotopes from their tooth enamel Explanation: The food one consumes when growing up impacts the formation of tooth enamel. The research of bioarchaeologist Tiffiny Tung provides us with a great example of the biocultural approach in action. It recognizes the importance and interrelationship of both biology and culture, and relies on biological, cultural, and environmental data to learn more about a past human population.
The three other subfields in anthropology ___________ biological anthropology, because anthropology focuses on the ___________ .
complement, biocultural approach.
Which part of the human anatomy has a unique morphology (shape) that allows humans the ability to produce speech?
hyoid bone
Which part of the human anatomy has a unique morphology (shape) that allows humans the ability to produce speech?
hyoid bone - The hyoid bone is found in the neck. It is the specific part of the anatomy that allows us to produce unique human speech.
A scientific ________ does not address larger questions about why a natural action takes place.
law - The fact that scientific laws are unable to be explained is what makes them unique. It is also what makes them very rare! They answer the question what rather than the question why.
Complete the following sentence by dragging the correct phrase to the blank. The honing canine tooth is used by nonhuman primates to ____________ . Page(s) 13-15
shred tough food - A honing canine is part of a chewing complex that includes large projecting upper canines and a diastema (gap) in the lower jaw. The wear between the upper canine and the lower premolar works like scissors and is useful for shearing and shredding tough food such as leaves.
Match each branch, or subdiscipline, of anthropology to its description. Page(s) 5-6
the study of the evolution, variation, and adaptation of humans and their past and present relatives Correct label: biological anthropology the study of historic or prehistoric human populations through the analysis of artifacts and other material remains Correct label: archaeology the study of the construction, use, and form of language in human populations Correct label: linguistic anthropology the study of modern human societies through the analysis of the development and variation of culture Correct label: cultural anthropology
