Anthro 102 - exam 2
Australopithecus anamensis is the oldest species currently known in the genus Australopithecus. True False
True
Bipedalism is a key defining feature of hominins. True False
True
Most scholars believe that a larger brain in Homo habilis indicates that tool use may have been more important to their survival than in australopithecines. True False
True
The fossil record for early archaic Homo sapiens shows that they evolved from a Homo erectus ancestor. True False
True
The genus Australopithecus is widely believed to be ancestral to the genus Homo. True False
True- Explanation: Although there are many debates about the shape of the hominin family tree and particular lines of descent, scholars widely accept that the genus Homo evolved from Australopithecine ancestors.
What is the correct order for the appearance of the following hominins, from earliest to most recent? A. Australopithecines, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo sapiens B. Homo sapiens, Homo erectus, Homo habilis, Australopithecines C. Australopithecines, Homo erectus, Homo habilis, Homo sapiens D. Homo sapiens, Homo erectus, Australopithecines, Homo habilis
A. Australopithecines, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo sapiens
The earth's age is: A. 4.6 billion years. B. 3.4 billion years. C. 6,000 years. D. 12 billon years.
A. 4.6 billion years.
One of the notable physical features that differentiates Homo habilis from the australopithecines is that H. habilis exhibited: A. A slightly larger cranial capacity B. Significant height increase C. Significantly smaller body size D. Opposable toes
A. A slightly larger cranial capacity
A central theme of human evolution is: A. An increasing adaptive flexibility. B. A decreasing body size. C. A decreasing cranial capacity. D. A more robust jaw.
A. An increasing adaptive flexibility.
As shown by the examples of Homo naledi and Homo floresiensis, the course of human evolution has always been a clear bath with no evolutionary off-shoots and dead ends. True False
False
Australopithecus robustus was likely the longest-surviving species of australopithecine in South Africa. Its success led to the emergence of the Homo lineage. True False
False
Evolutionary change is always a slow, gradual process. True False
False
Neandertals were dumb, primitive cavemen with no complex behaviors. True False
False
The earliest part of hominin evolution (circa 4-8 mya) is very well known and represented by thousands of fossils. True False
False
The vast majority of genetic variation in humans is found in Africa. Other regions are smaller samples of this great diversity. This indicates that modern humans mainly came from Africa, as suggested by both the Out-of-Africa model and Assimilation model of modern human evolution. True False
True- explanation: Both of these models posit African origins for modern humans.
Neandertal fossils from the site of Shanidar in Iraq show evidence of intentional burial as well as altruistic behavior. True False
True- explanation: The Shanidar skeletons were found in pits, a clear example of purposeful burial.
Through the careful study of bone accumulations, the South African paleontologist Charles Kimberlin Brain realized that the early hominin bones as well as the bones of many other kinds of animals found in the caves were likely due to carnivore activity. True False
true
You find a hominin fossil with femurs that angle in towards the knees. Based on this characteristic alone, you can conclude that your fossil species was bipedal. True False
true
There was an increase in brain size between late australopithecines and early Homo. True False
true- Explanation: Increase in brain size began around 2 million years ago but increased even more in the genus Homo. Advanced cognition is one of the elements that differentiates living apes from living humans today.
Molars and premolars of early archaic Homo sapiens are reduced in size, while in some populations, front teeth may be increased in size. How do anthropologists explain this observation? A. Back teeth became smaller because of increased use of material culture for processing food, while front teeth might have increased in size as an adaptation to using them as tools. B. The rise and increased use of language required this reconfiguration of the teeth. C. Front teeth increased in size because of changes in diet, and this forced back teeth to become smaller. D. Hominins shifted from eating roots, which makes use of the back teeth, to fruit, which makes use of the front teeth.
A. Back teeth became smaller because of increased use of material culture for processing food, while front teeth might have increased in size as an adaptation to using them as tools.
The use of index species of known age to date fossils of unknown age is known as: A. Biostratigraphic dating B. Fluorine dating C. Fossil indexing D. The law of superposition
A. Biostratigraphic dating
The two features that primarily and consistently distinguish early hominins from apes are: A. Bipedal locomotion and small, non-honing canines B. Tool use and large brains C. Bipedal locomotion and large brains D. Tool use and small, non-honing canines
A. Bipedal locomotion and small, non-honing canines- Explanation: Hominins were characterized by non-honing chewing and bipedalism for a long time before other important human features arose.
In evolutionary biology, ________________ is the process whereby organisms not closely related (not monophyletic), independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches. A. Convergent evolution B. Genomic clock C. Punctuated equilibrium D. Epigenetics
A. Convergent evolution
The Neandertals' disappearance after 30,000 yBP involved their: A. Disappearance from the fossil record, but partial assimilation in the modern human genetic pool. B. Genetic isolation followed by complete extinction. C. Physical and genetic evolution into modern humans. D. Migration out of their Eurasian homeland into Africa.
A. Disappearance from the fossil record, but partial assimilation in the modern human genetic pool.
Homo habilis experienced a major shift to new environments that was characterized by: A. Extensive tool use for obtaining and processing food. B. Shift to a much narrower diet. C. Use of marine resources. D. Big-game hunting.
A. Extensive tool use for obtaining and processing food.
Which of the following traits is NOT associated with the move to bipedalism in hominins? A. Foramen magnum positioned at the back of the skull B. S-shaped curve of spine C. Short, broad pelvis D. Loss of the opposable big toe
A. Foramen magnum positioned at the back of the skull
Modern humans have a number of anatomical characteristics that distinguish them from archaic humans like Neandertals. These include: A. High, vertical foreheads and a projecting chin B. Large jaws and a wide nasal aperture C. Low sloping foreheads and a projecting chin D. Large jaws and a projecting chin
A. High, vertical foreheads and a projecting chin - Explanation: Also called a "mental eminence," the projecting chin is a distinctly modern characteristic. The skull shape changes to higher and more rounded with the evolution of modern humans.
Australopithecus afarensis had lower limb morphology indicating very ____________ locomotion. A. Human-like B. Prosimian-like C. Ape-like D. Tarzan-like
A. Human-like
Which of the following statements is FALSE about Sahelanthropus tchadensis? A. It had a nearly human-sized brain. B. It had prominent brow ridges. C. It is one of very few hominin fossils found in Central Africa. D. It dates to 7-6 mya.
A. It had a nearly human-sized brain. - Explanation: Most early hominins have nonhuman ape-sized brains, and Sahelanthropus tchadensis is no exception.
Which of the following is an adaptive characteristic of bipedalism? A. Longitudinal arch in the foot B. Grasping feet C. Opposable thumb D. Upward angled scapula
A. Longitudinal arch in the foot
Which of the following characteristics are associated with Australopithecus afarensis? A. Non-divergent big toe B. Human-sized brain C. Flat face D. Specialized, hunting diet
A. Non-divergent big toe
Relative to Oldowan tools, Acheulean stone tools: A. Required more learning and skill to produce. B. Used fewer raw materials. C. Were characterized by fewer tool types. D. Had a narrower range of functions.
A. Required more learning and skill to produce.
You find a fossil skull dating to 6 million years ago. Although you don't find any leg bones or pelvis, you are able to definitively say that this fossil came from a bipedal hominin because of: A. The downward angled foramen magnum B. The bicondylar angle C. The flaring ilium D. The honing canines
A. The downward angled foramen magnum
Most of the fossils discovered in Africa come from the eastern and western parts of the continent. Why is this? A. These areas provided better preservation. B. More populations of species lived in these areas and nowhere else. C. Only these areas were conducive to sustaining life. D. No research has been done in other areas (north, central, or south).
A. These areas provided better preservation.
Painted perforated shells are evidence that Neandertals: A. Used symbolism. B. Had a diet based on seafood. C. Had metal drills. D. Traded with modern humans.
A. Used symbolism.
You are a paleoanthropologist excavating 6-million-year-old fossil deposits in Ethiopia. You excavate a partial skull and mandible and are trying to determine whether they belong to an early hominin or a fossil non-human ape. You take a closer look at the teeth and notice that there is a large diastema between the lower canines and premolars and the upper canines are large and projecting, with wear on the back surface. Based on your analysis you conclude that these fossils belong to: A. A hominin B. A non-human ape C. There is not enough information to make this determination
B. A non-human ape
Charles Darwin concluded that because of the remarkable anatomical similarity between humans and various species of apes, the continent of __________ was hominins' likely place of origin. A. Australia B. Africa C. Asia D. Europe
B. Africa
A major reason Eugene Dubois went looking for human ancestors in SE Asia in the 1880s was: A. Genetic proof of a close link between humans and orangutans. B. Anatomical similarities (particularly thick enameled molars) between humans and orangutans C. Copious fossil finds already known from SE Asia D. Widespread consensus that the roots of humanity lay in Asia.
B. Anatomical similarities (particularly thick enameled molars) between humans and orangutans
Good representation of fossils is important in understanding evolution. Which of the following statements about fossil representation are correct? A. Fossil preservation conditions are equal across time and space. B. Certain locations are underrepresented in the fossil record because of a lack of research and/or non-ideal preservation conditions. C. We have probably found all of the major fossil deposits that there are to find. D. All body parts are represented equally in the fossil record.
B. Certain locations are underrepresented in the fossil record because of a lack of research and/or non-ideal preservation conditions.
To the best of our knowledge, the first hominid to migrate out of Africa was: A. Homo habilis. B. Homo erectus. C. Homo neanderthalensis. D. Australopithecus garhi.
B. Homo erectus.
Which species is primarily associated with use of Oldowan tools? A. Homo sapiens B. Homo habilis C. Homo naledi D. Australopithecus afarensis
B. Homo habilis
Australopithecus garhi has been proposed as an ancestor for Homo mainly because: A. It had smaller molar teeth than other australopithecines. B. It had longer legs relative to arm length than other australopithecines. C. It was bipedal. D. It had a bigger brain than other australopithecines.
B. It had longer legs relative to arm length than other australopithecines.
Which of the following body parts are MOST LIKELY to preserve? A. Hair and fur B. Mammal teeth C. Juvenile bones D. Bird bones
B. Mammal teeth - Explanation: Mammal teeth are made of the hardest substance found in the body.
The fact that modern humans from Europe and Asia share a small percentage of Neandertal nuclear DNA, but not mitochondrial DNA suggests that: A. Most mating instances involved Neandertal women and modern human men. B. Most mating instances involved Neandertal men and modern human women. C. Mitochondrial DNA mutates too fast to trace this far back in time. D. Nuclear DNA preserves better than mitochondrial DNA, leading to better interpretations.
B. Most mating instances involved Neandertal men and modern human women. - Explanation: Recent studies show that Neandertals and Eurasian humans share about 1-4% of their nuclear DNA, suggesting that they interbred. However, no Neandertal mtDNA (passed on by females only) is found in modern humans, suggesting that Neanderthal females were involved in may fewer inbreeding instances than modern human females.
Which of the following is a derived hominin trait first seen in Sahelanthropus tchandensis? A. Length of the calcaneus B. Nonhoning chewing complex C. Larger body size D. Big toe opposability
B. Nonhoning chewing complex
The Shanidar 1 Neandertal had an injury that may have caused blindness, arthritic feet, and a missing right forearm. Its anterior teeth were severely worn at a steep angle. Which of the following statements describe this individual's life? A. These injuries caused this individual's death and were likely the result of violence or damage caused by dangerous activities. B. Others must have cared for this individual for him to survive, at least initially. Following the injury, he used his teeth to compensate for a missing hand. C. They show that Neandertal life was nasty, brutish, and short. D. These injuries occurred postmortem and have no value in interpreting the individual's life history.
B. Others must have cared for this individual for him to survive, at least initially. Following the injury, he used his teeth to compensate for a missing hand.- Explanation: This specimen indicates that altruistic social interaction was present in Neandertals. These injuries occurred long before this elderly individual passed away.
The hypothesis that evolutionary development is marked by isolated episodes of rapid speciation between long periods of little or no change is known as: A. Macroevolution. B. Punctuated equilibrium. C. Epigenetics. D. Convergent evolution.
B. Punctuated equilibrium.
The Nariokotome Boy discovered at Lake Turkana (Homo erectus) has modern human traits such as: A. Longer legs than later hominids. B. Shorter arms and longer legs than those of earlier hominids. C. Retention of an australopithecine-like body plan. D. A mix of arboreal and bipedal adaptations.
B. Shorter arms and longer legs than those of earlier hominids.
Which of the following statements about nonhoning chewing and bipedalism is true? A. They are features found across apes and hominins. B. They preceded speech and the use of stone tools by several million years. C. They arose with the use of stone tools about 2.5 million years ago. D. They arose along with an enlarged brain about 2 million years ago.
B. They preceded speech and the use of stone tools by several million years.
Neandertals had many cold adapted traits to help them survive in harsh northern climates. These include a large nasal aperture and large infraorbital foramina, which functioned to: A. Act as a shield against wind and insulate against cold. B. Warm and moisten cold, dry air and increase blood flow to the face. C. Attract mates and sense pheromones. D. Improve sense of smell to help find food and melanize the skin.
B. Warm and moisten cold, dry air and increase blood flow to the face.- : Explanation: The large surface area of a bigger nose allows the individual to warm air more efficiently. Larger foramina (holes) mean larger blood vessels can pass through them, bringing more blood to warm the face.
You have discovered a fossil-bearing layer in East Africa and you wish to estimate its age. There are abundant fossils of many savanna species, and you have identified most of them to species or genus. You know that the genus Equus makes its first appearance in Africa at 2.3 mya, and the species Connochaetes gnou first appears at about 1.07 mya. If your site contains both Equus and Connochaetes gnou: A. You cannot determine the relative date of this site using these species. B. Your site is probably younger than 1.07 mya. C. Your site is probably older than 2.3 mya. D. Your site probably dates to between 1.07 and 2.3 mya.
B. Your site is probably younger than 1.07 mya.- Explanation: The younger species is the key here. The site cannot be older than 1.07 mya if the species did not exist before that time.
The earliest australopithecines first show up in the fossil record more than: A. 0.5 mya B. 2 mya C. 4 mya D. 6 mya
C. 4 mya
To reconstruct and interpret evolutionary changes, it is crucial to place each fossil in time. This is called: A. An era. B. A period. C. A chronological sequence. D. A phylogeny.
C. A chronological sequence.
You are presented with a fossil that was just excavated in Ethiopia. This fossil skull has a large face, large molars, and a prominent sagittal crest, suggesting it is: A. Homo habilis B. Australopithecus afarensis C. Australopithecus boisei D. Ardipithecus ramidus
C. Australopithecus boisei - Explanation: Australopithecus boisei was a robust hominin that had a specialized diet. This dietary adaptation is reflected in its massive chewing complex, including large molars and a large sagittal crest.
You uncover the remains of a fossil hominin at Swartkrans, South Africa. It has large teeth and a large face and a very prominent sagittal crest. Based on these features you argue that your fossil belongs to which existing fossil lineage? A. Homo habilis B. Australopithecus afarensis C. Australopithecus robustus D. Australopithecus africanus
C. Australopithecus robustus
Which of the following is NOT a general trait shared by the Australopithecines: A. Bipedal locomotion B. Small bodies C. Control of fire D. Small brains E. Maintenance of arboreal traits
C. Control of fire
At a site in the American Southwest, you find only a single, highly decorated ceramic pot in association with an individual within a burial. You can use the pot to date the burial based on: A. Radiopotassium dating of the material used to make the pot. B. Biostratigraphic dating, because there may be animal remains inside the pot. C. Cultural dating, since the pot must be specific to a known culture and time period. D. Fission track dating of the pot itself.
C. Cultural dating, since the pot must be specific to a known culture and time period.
Homo erectus walked just like a modern human, with traits like: A. Long arms. B. Long legs and opposable toes. C. Double arches and adducted big toe. D. Foramen magnum at the back of the skull
C. Double arches and adducted big toe.
Although even the earliest hominins were bipedal ________________ was the first obligate biped. A. Homo habilis B. Homo naledi C. Homo erectus D. Homo sapiens
C. Homo erectus- Explanation: For the first time in Homo erectus, we see modern stature and limb dimensions (short arms and long legs) and loss of arboreal adaptations like curved fingers and upward-angled scapulae.
You find a fossil mandible from 200,000 year old deposits in Ethiopia. It has relatively small teeth and a projecting chin. Based on these characteristics, you identify your fossil specimen as: A. Australopithecus garhi B. Homo (sapiens) neanderthalensis C. Homo sapiens (sapiens) - Modern human D. Homo erectus
C. Homo sapiens (sapiens) - Modern human - Explanation: Neandertals and other archaic humans do not have a protruding chin
Though some anthropologists today still refute the idea, most evidence points to the fact that Neandertals had the ability to speak. This evidence includes: A. Fossilized larynx and pharynx from a cave in Israel. B. Pictographic writing found in Neandertal caves. C. Hyoid bone morphology. D. Recordings of Neandertal speech made by early anthropologists.
C. Hyoid bone morphology. - Explanation: The hyoid bone is central to the physical mechanism of speech. Since Neandertals and modern humans have similar hyoid bones, we assume they had similar abilities.
Anatomical evidence from fossilized hand bones suggests that the precision grip needed to make and use stone tools was present: A. Only in Homo habilis. B. Only in Homo erectus. C. In Homo habilis and some australopithecines. D. In all australopithecine and Homo species.
C. In Homo habilis and some australopithecines.
Fossil evidence of cut marks made with stone tools at early hominid sites suggests that: A. Meat eating started only with the appearance of Homo erectus and stone tools. B. Big game hunting was the most common way early hominids obtained meat. C. Meat eating started before Homo erectus but increased (more hunting in addition to scavenging) with more advanced technology. D. None of the above
C. Meat eating started before Homo erectus but increased (more hunting in addition to scavenging) with more advanced technology.
Native Americans share the most haplogroups with people from ___________ showing that they immigrated the Americas from this area. Native Americans and people from this region also share the unique trait of shovel-shaped incisors. A. Europe B. The Pacific Islands C. Northeast Asia D. Southeast Asia
C. Northeast Asia
Which of the following statements about fossils are NOT correct? A. Fossils and their geologic settings reveal information about past environments. B. Fossils provide information on chronology and geologic time. C. Once fossilized, and organism's remains will last forever. D. Fossils provide an essential historical record for documenting and understanding the biological evolution of surviving and non-surviving lineages.
C. Once fossilized, and organism's remains will last forever. - Although fossils generally preserve well, they are subject to forces like crushing and erosion that can destroy them.
Which of the following dating methods compares fossils, objects, and rock strata to each other and does not provide exact dates? A. Radiometric dating methods B. Fossil tender C. Relative dating methods D. Absolute dating methods
C. Relative dating methods
The only pre-australopithecine found outside the East African Rift Valley is: A. Orrorin tugenensis. B. Ardipithecus kadabba. C. Sahelanthropus tchadensis. D. Ardipithecus ramidus.
C. Sahelanthropus tchadensis.
Hominins have canines that are: A. Large and pointed, with a diastema. B. Projecting, with a diastema. C. Small, blunt, and nonprojecting, with no diastema. D. Part of a honing complex.
C. Small, blunt, and nonprojecting, with no diastema.
Compared to the australopithecines, Homo habilis had ____________________. A. Larger teeth and a smaller brain. B. Smaller teeth and a smaller brain. C. Smaller teeth and a larger brain. D. Larger teeth and a larger brain.
C. Smaller teeth and a larger brain.- Explanation: Homo used tools to break down their food, which may have been the reason for the decreased importance on large teeth and chewing muscles. We also see the beginning of brain size increase in Homo habilis.
If fossil species A is consistently recovered from geological deposits beneath layers containing fossil species B, then A is considered older than B. This relative dating technique is based on the principle of: A. Paleomagnetism. B. Fluorine analysis. C. Superposition. D. Geolayering.
C. Superposition.
Homo floresiensis ("The Hobbit") has been interpreted as either a distinct and new species of the genus Homo, or an instance of Homo sapiens with an abnormality resulting in distinct features just in that individual. Which of the following is evidence that supports the former interpretation? A. The presence of several features, including a small or absent chin and rotted premolars, that links the specimen to modern populations living in the region today. B. The fact that although the cranial capacity of this specimen is small, it is within the range of modern humans. C. The presence of a much earlier fossil from the same region, with similar morphologies, suggesting a long period of evolution of this species on the island of Flores. D. DNA evidence showing a close relationship between this specimen and nearby Homo erectus remains.
C. The presence of a much earlier fossil from the same region, with similar morphologies, suggesting a long period of evolution of this species on the island of Flores.
There are numerous physical changes seen in hominin skeletons that relate to the move from quadrupedal to bipedal locomotion. These include: A. Straight knee and shortened pelvis B. Valgus knee (Bicondylar angle) and elongated pelvis C. Valgus knee (bicondylar angle) and shortened pelvis D. Straight knee and elongated pelvis
C. Valgus knee (bicondylar angle) and shortened pelvis
Important changes in the landscape of East Africa and South Africa may have been associated with the rise of Homo habilis and the eventual extinction of the australopithecines. Which of the following statements is true about this transition? A. An ice age set in forcing Homo habilis to move towards the equator. B. The landscape became more wooded and homogenous. C. With the spread of grasslands, Homo habilis became specialized in consuming tough grasses. D. A diverse array of food resources, including underground plant parts (edible roots, etc.), became more important, which increased selection for the use of tools.
D. A diverse array of food resources, including underground plant parts (edible roots, etc.), became more important, which increased selection for the use of tools.
As expected under Bergmann's and Allen's Rules, cold-adapted Neandertals had: A. Long, thin limbs. B. Lots of hair C. A gracile body form. D. A relatively stocky build.
D. A relatively stocky build.- Explanation: Such a build increases the volume of the body in relation to surface area and allows an individual to retain heat. This is a pattern seen around the world today, where human populations have different body shapes that emerged as adaptations to local environments, like in the image below.
The molecular clock has been useful to determine the phylogenetic relationships of species based on the assumption that: A. All species are related. B. Species adapt at specific rates. C. Species will eventually change in time. D. A species accumulates genetic differences over time at a relatively predictable rate.
D. A species accumulates genetic differences over time at a relatively predictable rate.
The Laetoli footprints demonstrate that the foot of Australopithecus afarensis was humanlike in having: A. A rounded heel. B. A nondivergent big toe. C. A double arch. D. All of the above
D. All of the above
Disadvantages (evolutionary tradeoffs) of bipedalism relative to quadrupedalism include: A. Being more visible to predators. B. Greater risks associated with injuries to a leg. C. Back problems D. All of the above are among the disadvantages associated with the move to bipedalism.
D. All of the above are among the disadvantages associated with the move to bipedalism.
Bipedalism's advantages over quadrupedalism include: A. An increased ability to see greater distances. B. Ease of traversing long distances of open ground. C. Ease of transporting food. D. All of the above are true.
D. All of the above are true.
Which of the following factors led to the Piltdown specimen from England being widely accepted, while evidence of hominin evolution in Africa was ignored? A. The Pitdown fossils supported expectations of early brain growth in hominin evolution. B. Eurocentrism and racism led many scholars to dismiss African evidence. C. Faked specimens are very rare in science, so most people took the Piltdown specimens at face value - until large amounts of evidence began to pile up against them. D. All of the above contributed to widespread acceptance of the Piltdown specimens.
D. All of the above contributed to widespread acceptance of the Piltdown specimens.- Explanation: In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, scientists believed that a large brain was at the heart of what makes us human and that all further human features followed after the development of a large brain. Between 1908 and 1916, amateur archaeologist Charles Dawson and the paleontologist Sir Arthur Smith Woodward unearthed a fossil skull in southern England. The skull had a large cranial capacity (1,400 cubic centimeters) and was declared the human ancestor. Dawson named the new fossil Eoanthropus dawsoni (meaning "Dawson's dawn man"). The Piltdown fossils had come into question even when they were first discovered. However, it wasn't until the overwhelming amount of Australopithecus africanus fossils called the Piltdown fossils into question again. When the Piltdown skull was analyzed again, scientists realized the bones and teeth had been modified to look fossilized and like what people expected the human ancestor to look like. Only after the Piltdown fossils were determined to be false that Dart's discovery was heralded as one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the twentieth century.
Although Homo habilis was once considered the first maker of stone tools, several lines of evidence now point to significant stone tool use amongst the australopithecines. This evidence includes: A. Cut marks on mammal bones found in association with Australopithecus garhi B. Remodeling of bone structure in the hands of Australopithecus africanus C. Discovery of 3.3 mya stone tools at Lomekwi, Kenya D. All of the above support the use of stone tools by australopithecines.
D. All of the above support the use of stone tools by australopithecines.
Under which of the following conditions, to animal remains have the best chance of becoming fossilized? A. Acidic conditions B. Areas with scavengers who bury bones after gnawing on them. C. Aerobic conditions: high levels of oxygen support bacteria who jumpstart the fossilization process. D. Anaerobic conditions: low levels of oxygen in the sediment in which the remains are buried.
D. Anaerobic conditions: low levels of oxygen in the sediment in which the remains are buried. - Oxygen enhances the kind of biological activity that rots and breaks down animal remains.
Thick dental enamel in__________ helps with crushing food. A. Apes B. Prosimians C. Eosimians D. Australopithecines
D. Australopithecines
You find a fossil hominin during excavations of a 2-3 mya rock outcrop in Ethiopia. Based on the date and the postcranial dimensions (small bodied with short legs) you know that it is a member of the genus ____________________.
D. Either Homo or Australopithecus are possible. - Explanation: Although Ardipithecus had a small body and short legs, it was not alive during the appropriate date range. Various species of Australopithecus and Homo habilis were both alive during this range and had these postcranial dimensions. Later members of the genus Homo (like H. erectus) have more modern dimensions and stature.
What is the likely explanation for the rapid increase in body and brain size among Homo erectus? A. Survival of the fittest B. An influx of genes for increased height C. Reaching for fruits higher in the trees, which increased their height over time D. Greater access to protein and improved nutrition due to social hunting and improved tools
D. Greater access to protein and improved nutrition due to social hunting and improved tools
A primary factor distinguishing Homo erectus from Homo sapiens heidelbergensis (early archaic Homo sapiens) is that Heidelbergensis: A. Used tools and Homo erectus did not. B. Expanded out of Africa, while Homo erectus did not C. Was much taller than Homo erectus D. Had a larger cranial capacity than Homo erectus
D. Had a larger cranial capacity than Homo erectus
The Assimilation model (developed by ISU emeritus professor Fred Smith) argues that: A. Neandertals quickly and completely assimilated with modern human populations. B. Homo sapiens evolved contemporaneously in Africa, Asia, and Europe and is a single species today due to extensive gene flow. C. Homo sapiens evolved first in Africa and subsequently had no admixture with archaic populations. D. Homo sapiens evolved first in Africa and subsequently admixed with archaic populations in Asia and Europe.
D. Homo sapiens evolved first in Africa and subsequently admixed with archaic populations in Asia and Europe.
Although human teeth are very different from those of the non-human apes, there are some ways our teeth have remained very similar, including: A. Canine size B. Canine shape C. Enamel thickness D. Molar morphology
D. Molar morphology
Does every part of an organism have the same chance of becoming fossilized? A. Yes. Over time minerals like calcium and phosphorus are replaced with other minerals like iron and silica. B. Yes. Bones and soft tissue preserve equally in all environments. C. No. Soft tissues of the body preserve better because they can become mummified. D. No. Hard parts of the body preserve because they have biologically deposited minerals. Soft tissues only rarely preserve because they are made of polymers that bacteria eat.
D. No. Hard parts of the body preserve because they have biologically deposited minerals. Soft tissues only rarely preserve because they are made of polymers that bacteria eat.
Ardipithecus ramidus's intermediate form of bipedality included the use of: A. A tail. B. Longer hind limbs for clinging and leaping. C. Long phalanges to wrap around tree branches. D. Palms and feet to move along tree branches.
D. Palms and feet to move along tree branches.
Compared to Homo habilis, Homo erectus had _________________________________. A. Smaller teeth and a smaller brain. B. Larger teeth and a smaller brain. C. Larger teeth and a larger brain. D. Smaller teeth and a larger brain.
D. Smaller teeth and a larger brain.
What is Taphonomy? A. The study of what happens to an organism's remains after death. B. The study of evolutionary relationships between extinct organisms. C. A discredited 19th century theory, disproved by Darwin. D. The process of determining the age of a fossil.
D. The process of determining the age of a fossil.
It is widely agreed that this species is directly ancestral to the Australopithecines: A. Sahelanthropus tchadensis B. Orrorin tugenensis C. Homo naledi D. There is no widely agreed upon direct ancestor
D. There is no widely agreed upon direct ancestor
Which of the following are correct about the fossil and living primate records? A. The combined record of living species and fossil species is essential for understanding evolution. B. Living species provide an incomplete picture of evolution because only surviving lineages are represented. C. Species represented only as fossils are best ignored because information about them is incomplete. D. Nearly all of the fossil species one might find are also represented by living forms. E. A and B are both true.
E. A and B are both true.
Modern humans spread throughout the globe, including to previously uninhabited areas like Australia, the Americas, and the Pacific Islands. Which of the following are possible motivations for these populations to move into new areas? A. Local disappearance of food resources. B. Deteriorating climate. C. Increased competition with neighbors for resources. D. Local population increase. E. All of the above are possible motivations.
E. All of the above are possible motivations.
The increase in brain size in early Homo compared to late australopithecines was accompanied by an increase in face and tooth size. True False
False- Explanation: Despite slight increases in brain size, this period actually saw reductions in face and tooth size. Homo habilis's reduced face was due to the reduction of the chewing complex. Early Homo did not have as strong chewing muscles as australopithecines, indicating they did not eat as hard foods.
Homo habilis and Homo erectus overlapped in time for nearly a million years. This overlap means that erectus could not have descended from habilis. True False
False- Explanation: Homo erectus probably emerged from a subset of Homo habilis in East Africa. Other Homo habilis groups could continue to exist after Homo erectus emerged.
Charles Darwin's hunting hypothesis stated that bipedalism, tool use, and large brains all evolved together. This hypothesis has been proved true through subsequent fossil hominin discoveries. True False
False- Explanation: Subsequent fossil hominin discoveries showed that each of these traits emerged at very different times in hominin evolution, thereby falsifying Darwin's hypothesis.
Modern Homo sapiens evolved from archaic forms in Europe. True False
False- Explanation: The first modern H. sapiens appeared earliest in Africa, by 160,000 yBP (and probably earlier), and latest in Europe.
The most widely-accepted explanation for the enlarged teeth and chewing muscles in the robust australopithecines is that they devoted enormous energy towards chewing tough dried meat. True False
False- Explanation: The robust australopithecines probably chewed very low-quality food for long periods of time, but it was almost certainly mostly plant matter, not meat.
Once hominins became bipedal, they almost immediately lost their arboreal traits. True False
False:Explanation: Although certain arboreal traits like the opposable big toe disappear fairly early in hominin evolution, others like the upward angled scapula and somewhat curved hand phalanges, stick around for a while. Their continued presence indicates that many australopithecine species likely spent significant time in the trees as well as on the ground.
