Anthropology 1st exam

What is taxonomy?

Taxonomy/cladistics=All members of a given taxon have the same ancestors. Reflects evolutionary relationships Group life in increasingly higher orders.

What are the characteristics of Old-World Anthropoids (Old World Monkeys, Apes, and Humans)?

-Old world Anthropoids! -Less primitive than new world monkeys Relatively short, non prehensile tails. Color vision, develops color vision Effect upper body Larger brain

What are the characteristics of New World Monkeys)?

-The most primitive monkeys -Almost all arboreal -Most lack color vision -Found in central and South America!

What is knuckle walking? What living species of hominoids use knuckle walking?

a form of quadrupedal walking in which the forelimbs hold the fingers in a partially flexed posture that allows body weight to press down on the ground through the knuckles. APES, CHIMPANZEES, GORILLAS

participant observation

a key anthropological research strategy involving both participation in and observation of the daily life of the people being studied. (Time spent in the field.)

What is a "fact" according to scientists?

A fact is something that can be proved. Something that has overwhelming evidence A tremendous amount of world's data.

What is the popular definition of theory?

A theory is a imperfect fact. Ladder of confidence from fact to theory to hypothesis to guess. (Facts, Theory, Hypothesis, genes)

What species are in the hominid family?

AFRICAN GREAT APES!!!! GORILLAS! HUMANS!!!!

What is a hominoid?

APES!!!!

What are the characteristics and trends in the primate order?

lack of strong specialization in structure; prehensile hands and feet, usually with opposable thumbs and great toes; flattened nails instead of claws on the digits; acute vision

What characteristic(s) do all primates share?

All living primates share prehensile hands, candid feet Can grasp things and are very flexible. Flexible forelimbs Acute vision, Large eyes in the front. Few offspring Large brain Complex social behavior Sense of smell reduced Less specialized teeth.

In what ways is anthropology similar to other disciplines?

All these disciplines are similar to anthropology because all these disciplines come in contact with all humans.

Name a common name for a primitive primate

Also known as Strepsirrhines or Prosimians

What techniques do anthropologists use? How may they differ from the techniques used by other disciplines in the social and behaviorial sciences?

Anthropologists are field oriented Spends time immersing in cultures Time spent in the field is called participant observation Anthropologists also use informants. referred as cultural brokers. Informants=An individual in a culture that is informed about a culture.

In what physical and behavioral ways are humans similar to other primates?

Genetics: Chimps are 98% same as humans Reglatory genes: Controls genes in others. Long period of infant care Social life crucial Tool making!!! Language is very special in wild and captivity!!

What characteristics do all hominoids share?

Largest bodies of all the primates Absence of tail Shortened torso, longer limbs Changed in shoulder for brachiation Most complex behavior Largest brain Increased infant dependency They are found in Africa and Asia.

How do Old World Monkeys differ from New World Monkeys?

Old world monkeys are less primitive Old world monkey develops color vision new world monkey lack color vision Old world monkeys have prehensile tails/New world monkeys are the only monkeys with prehensile tails. Old world monkeys are relatively short

How do humans differ from other primates?

Physical: Brain size, teeth, the difference in the way we walk. we walk upright, complete teressstrial. Behavioral: Sharing in social instutions, Curbing aggression, care for sick,injured or elderly. Cooperative behavior and presence of minds.

What is brachiation? What species brachiate?

Specialized form of arboreal locomotion in which movement is accomplished by swinging from one hold to another by the arms. APES have it (Hominoids) GIBBONS (hylobatids, lesser apes) CHIMPANZEES!

Hollism

the perspective on the human condition that assumes that mind, body, individuals, society, and the environment interpenetrate, and even define one another. In anthropology holism tries to integrate all that is known about human beings and their activities.

What are the three lines of evidence that support the fact of evolution?

1.Direct observational evidence 2.Imperfection of nature Transitional kinds are found! Ex:Tiktaalik

What are the three phenomena that lead to evolution?

1.Environment in a state of change. 2.In every population of living things there is variety. 3.Selection for those forms most fit:Natural selection

Top Ten Evolutionary Myths

1.If Humans Came From Apes, Why Aren't Apes Evolving Into Humans? 2.There Are Too Many Gaps in the Fossil Record for Evolution to Be True 3.If Evolution Happened Gradually Over Millions of Years Why Doesn't the Fossil Record Show Gradual Change? 4.No One Has Ever Seen Evolution Happen 5.Science Claims That Evolution Happens by Random Chance 6.Only an Intelligent Designer Could Have Made Something as Complex as an Eye 7.Evolution is Only A Theory 8.Evidence for Human Evolution Has Turned Out to Be Fake, Frauds, or Fanciful 9.Evidence for Human Evolution Has Turned Out to Be Fake, Frauds, or Fanciful 10.Evolution Can't Account For Morality

What are the sub-disciplines of anthropology?

1.Physical or biological anthropology=Study of humans as biocultural organisms. This includes medical anthropology, may want to learn why HIV spread. 2.Archaeology=Study of humans through material culture. Objects used and modifies by humans. Generally study past cultures. Includes study of orgins of agriculture. 3.Cultural Anthropology=The study of social behavior and culture of recent humans. Includes family and kinship. Political social organization. 4.Anthropological Linguistics= Study of the interrelationship between culture and language. (Includes orgins of language relationships.) 5. Applied Anthropology= Uses skills of anthropology and other disciplines plus knowledge of cultures to help solve problems.

What is a higher primate?

2nd division of primates Known as Haplorhines or Anthropoids! Tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and humans are considered to be under this category.

What species is in the Pongid family and what are its characteristics?

Asian great apes and oragutans are apart of this family! ASIAN GREAT APES: Also apart of the PONGIDS family, hair instead of fur, prehensile able to grasp with fingers and toes! ORANGUTANS: their family is called the PONGIDS! they have three species, they have large bodies, slow climbers, mainly arboreal, sexual dimorphism, found in Indonesia!

What is an allele?

Biochemical variations of genes. Raises or lowers frequency of alleles already in population.

What primate shares the greatest genetic material with humans?

CHIMPANZEES!!!!!!!Ever since researchers sequenced the chimp genome in 2005, they have known that humans share about 99% of our DNA with chimpanzees, making them our closest living relatives.

Describe how natural selection works

Comes from variable fitness of genes (alleles) the differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype. It is a key mechanism of evolution, the change in the heritable traits characteristic of a population over generations.

What was wrong with buying watermelons?

Counts and wife were not obligated to buy or spend money on anything. Kolia is the head of the village. So he felt as if it was wrong for guests to come to his village and pay for food if they were giving gifts. The lady basically scammed them out there money and told them a lie. she made them pay all there money and she exchanged with two shillings. They never got the watermelon and that was that last one for that season.

What are some of the lessons learned by counts?

Counts learn that buying food at the Kandoka village in this culture is very impolite. He learns to not buy any food! He also learns that in this culture that you are supposed to accept gifts and also give gifts. Cash and money is not valuable in this country! Declining a gift from anyone is wrong in this culture!

What anthropological methods are used by counts to study Kandoka village?

Counts stayed there/spent time in the field. He studied He's learning about the village through the method called participant observation.

Cross cultural perspective

Cross-cultural studies, sometimes called holocultural studies or comparative studies, is a specialization in anthropology and sister sciences (sociology, psychology, economics, political science) that uses field data from many societies to examine the scope of human behavior and test hypotheses about human behavior

What happens if you demand a gift, such as a pineapple?

Demanding a gift is impolite. The lady was recieving many gifts and was not returning the favor. The lady was very stingy. Counts demands a gift from the lady. The lady gives counts a very juicy pineapple. Come to find out, she stole that pineapple from their friend.

What is the fact of evolution?

Evolution is both a fact and theory! Evolution of one species from another is a fact! It is based on overwhelming data.

Know the characteristics of Gibbon (lesser Ape), Orangutan (Asian Great Ape), Gorilla, Chimpanzee (African Great Apes)

GIBBON: Hylobatids, very small and lightweight. They have a small, round head, very long arms, No tail. LESSER APES: Hylobatids (smaller monkeys) ORANGUTANS: their family is called the PONGIDS! they have three species, they have large bodies, slow climbers, mainly arboreal, sexual dimorphism, found in Indonesia! ASIAN GREAT APES: Also apart of the PONGIDS family, hair instead of fur, prehensile able to grasp with fingers and toes! AFRICAN GREAT APES: Have one species and two sub species, binocular division GORILLAS:Largest of all living primates, 400 pounds, only 20% live in trees, sexual dimorphism, knuckle walking, eats leaves, tubers, shoots CHIMPANZEES: More arboreal than gorillas, less sexual dimorphism, male dominated, highly socialable, they live very long, knuckle walking and brachiating, they are omnivorous!! They eat all different kinds of food! (PLANTS, ANIMALS, FRUIT, TERMITES, AND ANTS!)

What is the largest living primate?

GORILLA!!! THEY CAN EASILY GET TO 400 POUNDS!

What are the characteristics of the gorilla? Does it have sexual dimporhism? What is its habitiat?

GORILLAS:Largest of all living primates, 400 pounds, only 20% live in trees, sexual dimorphism, knuckle walking, eats leaves, tubers, shoots HABITAT=tropical forests, congo

What is the largest primate that ever lived?

Gigantopithecus Stood 3m tall and weighed over 500 POUNDS

What did the town elder suggest that the anthropologist do with the bananas?

He suggested that he could give it to their families as gifts. Give it to people that don't have it.

What movement does Gould review/critique in this article?

He wrote this article as a response of the wrong way of looking at scientists. New type of creationists. This was a movement in the 1980's. It was called 'Scientific Creationism" Attempted to use science to deny evolution. The name was changed to intelligent design.

What are some examples of questions anthropologists would be interested in answering?

How and when did humans evolve? How does development affect cultures?How many times was writing invented? what is the nature of state societies?

Why study primates?

Humans share the same bones! WE DID NOT EVOLVE FROM MONKEYS! Humans are classified as a primate! They are humans closest living relatives! Primates reveal how we evolve. Primates help us understand our biology and behavior. Solve nature vs.nurture question!

What families does the superfamily hominoid include?

Hylobatids:Lesser apes (Gibbons, 9 species, best brachiators, arboreal, found in southeast asia!) Pongids: Asian great apes (Orangutans three species) Hominids: African great apes (Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and humans!!! four species in this category.)

What is a species?

Individuals in same species if offspring can reproduce successfully .

What term has replaced the term scientific creationism?

Intelligent Design

What are some important reasons to study anthropology?

Its fascinating to learn about exotic times and cultures It makes you less judgemental of others cultures. Everyone has a way of living. Learn what is common about all humans. We all have a ancestor. We have a religion. Put our own culture into perspective The world is interconnected.

What kinds of primates live in Madagascar?

Lemurs

What is a lemur? Where do lemurs reside?

Lemurs are primates, an order that includes monkeys, apes and humans. There are approximately 32 different types of lemurs in existence today, all of which are endemic to Madagascar Also in Asia and Africa!

Macroevolution

Long term change Speciation is another term for macroevolution. It is the orgin of new species. The seperating of species.

What is a loris and where do they live?

Loris is the common name for the strepsirrhine primates. (Primitive primates) found in South and Southeast Asia.

What is natural selection?

Natural selection is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype. It is a key mechanism of evolution, the change in the heritable traits characteristic of a population over generations. Variation exists within all populations of organisms.

What kinds of primates have color vision?

Old world monkeys (Anthropoids)

What is a theory according to scientists?

Scientisits use the term "theory" differently. According to scientists, Theories are structures of ideas that explain facts.

What is an homology?

Scientists classify organisms by homologies. Homologies are common characteristics that indicate common origins. (how DNA is used)

What is sexual dimorphism, and what type of primates have it?

Sexual dimorphism is the difference between males and female features on physical changes. The primates that are considered to have sexual dimorphism is oragutans, and gorillas.

why primates are classified as mammals?

Share same characteristics primates do have claws, but even among these there is a flat nail on the big toe All living primates share prehensile hands and feet. (can grasp and also flexible.) Jaw configuration, Mammal glands. Acute vison, large brain, color vision

Microevolution

Short term changes Change in allele frequency from one generation to the next.

What discipline is considered the sister science to anthropology?

Sociology is the sister science

What disciplines are anthropology similar to?

Sociology=the sister science to anthropology. Studies industrialized countries. Studies institutions Psychology=Studies the mind, body, and behavior History=Events! History is important Science=Studying human biology Humanities=Theatre, english, literature Arts=Musicals

What events led to the evolution of primates?

The extinction of dinosaurs Evolved arboreal characteristics

What is anthropology?

The study of humans from all places and all times. Studies all aspects of humans!

What are primitive primates and how do they differ from other primates?

They are primitive in the sense that they retain characteristics of the very first primates from millions of years ago. Lemurs are primitive primates! They differ from other primates because of their characteristics. Moist fleshy nose Split attached upper lip Vision (no color) Binocular but no steroscopic vision They are mostly found in madagascar!

What is a bonobo? Know the characteristics of the common chimpanzee

They are the 2nd species of the chimpanzees Another name for them is pygmy chimpanzees Not smaller, more linear Less aggressive, females are co dominant They use sex for bonding!

When did primates evolve?

They developed over 55-66 million years ago!

What do biological anthropologists study?

They study humans as biocultural organinsms. Also includes medical anthropology Also looks at human evolution!

What is a tarsier? Why is a tarsier a higher primate? What are some unique features of tarsiers?

a small insectivorous, tree-dwelling, nocturnal primate with very large eyes ( Haplorrhine) A tarsier is a higher primate because tarsiers have large eyes that are partly closed. Similar to higher primates characteristics. Unique characteristics= - Bony eye socket - Dry nose with simple nostrils tiny -Their name comes from from a bone! -Unattached flexible lip -Tiny nocturnal insect eaters

What does prehensile means?

chiefly of an animal's limb or tail) capable of grasping.

What makes anthropology unique?

comparative study, meaning found in both differences and similarities. Cross cultural perspective, constantly comparing cultures. Hollistic:Multifaceted All aspects of humans interconnected! It also uses the contextual approach meaning comes from understanding cultural context. Anthropology tends to study humans from the ground up.