Anthropology 1 Final Exam
Neandertals crania was distinct in that:
It lacked a forehead and was "long and low"
Describe distinct skeletal features that help an anthropologist identify an australopithecus.
It was a bipded that was 3-4 feet tall and their teeth had thick enamel
Describe distinct skeletal features that help an anthropologist identify an austrolopithecine.
It was a bipded that was also 3-4 feet tall and their teeth had thick enamel
What is believable about Lamarck's theory of inherited characteristics?
Lamarck outlined how an organism can change his physique in response to the environment which sounds a lot like evolution, but since it didn't describe how to pass that change along, isn't quite the whole story.
Which two of the seven primate families is described as the most ancestral (or "primitive")? Describe three features that illustrate this.
Lemurs and Lorises - are the most ancestral... / Their ancestral features include - a moist fleshy snout...
Which two of the seven primate families is described as the most ancestral (or "primitive")? Describe three features that illustrate this by comparing them to other primate families.
Lemurs and Lorises - rhinarium and laterally...//Gibbons and siamangs - are lesser apes so not as ancient a primate form...//New world monkeys - are not the most ancestral
What is applied anthropology?
a way to use the methods of one of the four fields in order to solve a research question posed outside of a university setting
The film about evolution (week 1) illustrated how the fossil record is often a series of several minor modifications that take some time to see in the record.
true
Three distinct primate characteristics include: 1) prehensile hands (and some feet) to manipulate objects and grasp 2) retention of five digits is a more generalized trait than in other mammals 3) opposable thumb (and sometimes big toe) for grasping and manipulating objects
true
Three distinct primate characterists include: 1) increased complexity and expansion of the brain, beyond most other mammalian brains 2) transmission of visual information to the brain is specialized, aiding steroscopic vision 3) increased time spend to maturity in social groups, with a dependence on learning
true
Topic 1 (C) Three distinct primate characterists include: 1) prehensile hands (and some feet) to maninpulate objects and grasp 2) retention of five digits is a more generalized trait than in other mammals 3) opposable thumb (and sometimes big toe) for grasping and maninupulating objects
true
Two distinct primate characteristics include: 1) "generalized" teeth with distinct functions that each process different nutritional needs 2) no specialization of diet, especially since teeth are generalized.
true
Two distinct primate characteristics include: 1) reduced olfactory 2) better binocular, and color, vision than other mammals
true
Two distinct primate characteristics include: 1) generalized limbs (that allow various forms of locomotion) 2) a tendency toward vertical posture seen in both locomotion and in resting positions.
true
In the section on primate cognition and culture, several examples are given of non-human primates using and learning language (well beyond body language). Name several examples. (Multiple Answers)
two different primate children learned some language (or symbol use) by other primates (not from researchers)...//teaching American Sign Language to chimpanzees ...//monkeys who use different calls to mean different threats ...//Bonobos taught symbols instead of using sign language showed they through in abstracts to classify
In the film "Darwin never knew," Darwin proposed that animals share a common ancestor when he observed that developing embryos have physical features not common to their own species but common across the animal kingdom. For example, he observed:
whale embryos have teeth, human embryos have gill-like slots, snake embryos showed bony bumps for legs which never develop
In the primate fossil record there was sufficient evidence of habitual bipedalism in the time frame: ____
4 million years ago
What is a heterozygote?
A heterozygote - two forms of alleles...//Herterozygotes fit in evolutionary theory because _____. - this genotype tells a person...
What is a homozygote?
A homozygote - is inheriting the same form,...//Homozygotes tell us something about evolution because it - predicts a lethal combination
Describe "affiliative behaviors." How do they promote social cohesion?
Affiliative behaviors are behaviors that - are expressed through...//They promote social cohesion by - strengthening bonds between...
Mitochondria Eve is the oldest traceable genetic ancestor to humans and she first lived in _________
Afirca
Neandertal fossils are found in
Africa, Europe, Asia
Name the artifact "collector" who wrote to Darwin with a theory of selective pressures that was nearly identical to Darwin's description of natural selection
Alfred Wallace
Which species used more than stones to make tools? What did they use?
H. sapiens used antler, bone, ivory, an stone
Define chronometric dating techniques and describe two examples
Chronometric dating - provides a date, often based...//These techniques include - C14 measures decay of...
In regard to genetic theory, what is the importance of classifying the animal kingdom?
Classification segregates organisms that can reproduce offspring, so one can move to figuring out what relationships groups of organisms have to each other
Describe "dominance behaviors." How do they promote social cohesion?
Dominance behaviors are actions that are - expressed by higher status...//They promote social cohesion by - setting limits on use of...
What does "ethnocentric" mean? Speculate what sorts of issues arise studying physical anthropology that would be classified as ethnocentric
Ethnocentric means to think your own cultural practices are better than others'. Physical anthropologists try to avoid this mindset by using the cultural views of their "local group" about whether creation can be explained by science or by other fields of knowledge. Instead, they look for patterns in morphology of skeletons -- rather than trying to confirm cultural beliefs about how they were created.
Match the terms to their descriptors
Fit (in biology) is - reproductive success...//natural selection is - process in the environment
What is founder effect?
Founder effect is - reduced gene frequencies
Some of the upper paleolithic tool kits of H. sapiens were called
Gravettian, Magdalenian, Solutrean
Select all the skeletal and cultural features that distinguish "early Homo" at both Olduvai Gorge and Lake Turkana. (multiple answers)
H. habilis had the first discovered tool kit, so they were named the first genus homo...// Homo habilis from Olduvai had a larger crania averaging 631 cm3. ...//Early homo (H. rudolphensis) from Turkana had a cranial capacity of 775 cm3. ...//Early homo had a different shape to its skull vault that was unlike Australopithecines.
Compare H. heidelbergensis tools to Neandertal tool kits.
H. heidelbergensis tools had the features like - made of stone, similar to...//Neandertal tools had features like - made of stone, but perfect...//H. heidelbergensis tools compare to: - Acheulian, but were made...//Neandertal tools are most often called: - mousterian, but sometimes
Which species could relight fire?
H. heidelbergensis, Neadertals, H. sapiens
Which species made shell beads and created art?
H. sapiens and Neandertals
Describe four cranial features that distinguish the species "modern H. sapiens" from any other hominins (Multiple answer)
H. sapiens crania has a canine fossa; H. heidelebergensis does not...//Neandertals didn't have the definite chin we see in modern H. sapiens...//A further reduction of the brow ridge and vertical face and forehead is a distinctive feature of modern crania...//H. sapiens crania has a pyramid mastoid that is more triangular in shape than previous species
How did Lamarck's use/disuse theory not really capture what was happening in evolution?
He outlined how an organism changes its physique in response to an environmental need, but not how these traits could be passed to offspring
Note both skeletal and cultural features that distinguish "early Homo" at both Olduvai Gorge and Lake Turkana. (multiple answer)
Homo habilis from Olduvai had a larger crania averaging 631 cm3....//Early homo had a different shape to its skull vault that was unlike Australopithecines...//H. habilis had the first discovered tool kit, so they were named the first genus homo...//Early homo (H. rudolphensis) from Turkana had a cranial capacity of 775 cm3.
Which premodern could probably use fire, definitely scavenged, but hunting is less clear. There is little evidence they buried their dead, and there isn't much to show they could speak.
Homo heidelbergensis
As described in the article "The evolution of human birth" why is it very common for human babies to be born facing the opposite direction (facing backwards) in relation to her mother? (Multiple Answers)
Human babies crania is oblong front to back and human pelvises are oblong side to side. So human babies have to shift their head sideways to navigate the pelvis...//Human babies shoulders are widest side to side so they have to turn their heads ...//Human babies have to twist their head, then their shoulders to pass through the pelvic girdle...//The human pelvis is shaped to support our bipedal stance, not giving birth
Partial replacement was the following ideas about where H. sapiens evolved:
Humans evolved only in African and also interbred with many premoderns outside of Africa
How did Malthus influence Darwin's thoughts on species variation?
Mathus described one feature of natural selection; competition for limited resources, which for Darwin was one key to his ideas on how a gene pool could change from generation to generation.
What is Mendelian inheritance?
Mendelian genetics is one loci with two alleles for the same gene. One allele from father and one from mother -- for that same trait.
Describe the differences between middle Pleistocene hominins and Neandertals. Last: what about "classic Neandertals'" environment is assumed to help explain their morphological differences to other species? (Multiple answers)
Neanderal post-crania are thick bones which suggest a high proportion of muscle...//The robusticity of Neanderals is assumed to be an adaptation to cold climate (like the theories about robusticty found in most H. erectus.)...//Neanderal crania are larger than H. erectus and even larger than H. sapiens....//H. heidlebergensis has a mix of H. erectus and more dervied features which included a larger brain case, but it retained thicker browridges....//While H. heidlebergensis is robust, post-cranially (compared to H. sapiens) it is not as robust as Neandertals....//H. heidlebergensis had a thinner crania, compared to H. erectus, but the crania base is more modern...//The Neanderal face projects outward with very little chin and a sloping backward forehead....//H. heidelbergensis had flattened nasal bones (in the Asian premoderns) which was similar to Asian H. erectus -- but crania are larager than H. erectus
Which species would we call very successful hunters?
Neandertals and H. sapiens
Name and describe at least six features of culture found in locations where Neandertals lived. (multiple answer)
Neandertals had shelters and lived in caves...//Neandertals probably used spoken language...//Neandertals could light fires...//Neandertals might have made decorative (symbolic) items like beads ...//Neandertals buried their dead...//Neandertals had a distinct tool kit
The Levallois technique of tool making was used by
Neanertals and H. heidelbergensis
List some of the subfields (specialties if you will) in physical anthropology and what their focus is.
Paleoanthropology (the study fossils and physical remains of humans), genetics (microevolution; how genes change over time), primatology (non-human primates), osteology (the interpretation of skeletal remains), paleopathology (evidence of disease and injury in human skeletals), forensics (applied approach dealing with legal matters)
List some of the subfields in physical anthropology
Paleoanthropology, genetics, osteology, paleopathology, forensics
In popular culture many people misunderstand the phrase "survival of the fittest." Explain how
People mistakenly believe "survival of the fittest" means: - those individuals with the most strength will leave the most offspring...//BUT: "survival of the fittest really means - individuals with more adap...
What is a phenotype? What is genotype?
Phenotype is - the physical expression of...//Genotype is - the genetic makeup of a...
Describe how the steps of the scientific method would be used by a physical anthropologist analyzing fossils.
Physical anthropologists follow all the same steps, but to test their hypothesis about what species a fossil belongs, each has to examine multiple fossils to compare. Peer replication would have to involve other anthropologists examining those many fossils too (to "replicate") in order to see if they come to the same conclusion.
What is polygenic inheritance?
Polygenic inheritance is an expression of a trait controlled by multiple genes at multiple loci (can even involve multiple chromosomes). It can't be predicted like Mendelian gene reproduction can be predicted.
How does the fact that humans ancestors seem to have always moved around the globe help argue that the "Regional Continuity Model" is plausible? Be specific using language from genetics.
Regional Continuity advocates describe gene flow as a main feature of why modern H. sapiens are so similar today. With interbreeding between migrating H. sapiens and the local populations, gene pools would mix and start to match.
Define relative dating techniques and describe them
Relative dating - uses the dates from another...//These techniques include - tring ring data...
Describe "differential net reproduction". (multiple answer)
Reproduction and "fitness" are very similar, but more offspring reproduced will not always mean higher fitness. The balance between resources to raise one's young, and how many young one can "produce" relates to differential reproduction.
What is a shared derived feature and how does it relate to evolutionary relationships?
Shared, derived features, refers to features that - are not homoplasy...//A shared derived feature tells us that - a more recent evolutionary relationship
What advances in technology do researchers think they find with Homo erectus? Do they find other signs of culture (like hunting or fire)? (MULTIPLE ANSWER)
Signs of hunted meat but might have been a scavenger...//Looks like they could use fire and might have been the first to "domesticate" it....//More advanced tool kits than H. habilis
What about Lamarck's theory of inherited characteristics doesn't explain evolution after all (and requires we abandon this theory)?
Since one can change/alter your physique in your lifetime, to some extent: that isn't evolution. Evolution is passing on changes to offspring which Lamarck didn't describe
There are genetic data that seem to support Partial Replacement. What is this data and what makes it seem plausible that Partial Replacement is the theory to believe? (multiple answer)
That Africans have "far greater" genetic diversity than humans outside Africa suggests their DNA has been around the longest. This supports an African origin -- but cannot discount the possibility of gene flow outside of Africa. ...//Recent data about Neandertal DNA found in non-Africans suggests some gene flow occurred outside Africa. This would support either partial replacement, or Regional Continuity models. ...//That H. sapiens are just a normal case of species "gene flow" makes sense. It could be difficult to imagine that they didn't interbreed with others.
"What is different about the Dmanisi finds, and why are they important in discussing the radiation of H. erectus out of Africa? (Multiple answer)
The Dmanisi fossils had simple Oldowan-like tools suggesting an ancestral "version" of H. erectus was out of Africa first....//Dmanisi fossils were not as robust as all other H. erectus, suggesting robusticity was not necessary for migration out of Africa
"What is different about the Dmanisi finds which starkly contrast to the rest of all the H. erectus speces? (Multiple answer)
The Dmanisi fossils had simple Oldowan-like tools suggesting ancestral H. erectus was out of Africa first....//Dmanisi fossils were not as robust as all other H. erectus
How are Homo erectus fossils different from Homo habilis?
The H. habilis skeleton tend to have - a more gracile post crania...//H. habilis (early homo) technology includes the fact that she - was probably the first took...//H. erectus skeleton - was a more robust post crania...//H. erectus culture included - more advanced tools,...
Describe some of the hypotheses that preceded Darwin articulating natural selection
The Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Traits - Claim meant to describe how an organism finds new ways to utilize and modify its physique while responding to the limits of its environment....//Uniformitarianism was - the claim that got geological...//Fixity of species was - the idea that no new species...
Describe the Complete Replacement Model (multiple answers)
The claim is that H. sapiens arose in Africa only and then migrated and replaced all other hominins globally....//Africans have "far greater" genetic diversity than other humans which suggests their DNA has been around the longest. This supports an African origin...//Complete Replacement models claim there was no interbreeding between Afrian H. sapiens and other species (even H. heidlebergensis).
Contrast facts about several of the earliest human ancestors by matching the facts with the correct species
The first hominin out of Africa was - h, erectus...//The first tool maker is believed to be - h. habilis...//Which species was most like H. habilis and carried the same tools? - h. rudolphensis...//The first hominins to reach Australia - H. sapiens
Match the primate families to their best description
The only primates who have prehensile tails - are some of the new world monkey species...//the Gibbons and Siamangs - are small apes, so called lesser apes...//The lemurs and lorises - are the primates called the...//The old world monkeys - are primates located only in Africa and Asia (along with some of the other primate families)...//The tarsiers - are genetically more like the anthropoids (apes, humans, monkeys)
What is the scientific method?
The scientific method includes steps to see if your hypothesis about natural phenomena is correct. 1: hypothesis; 2: test/experiment to see if data matches the expectations of your hypothesis (does/does not explain phenomena); 3. let others know your process/steps/conclusions; 4. other scientists can repeat (replicate) the original experiment to test if your conclusions seem to fit the data.
Which tools kits match the species that made them?
The tools of H. erectus is called - achulien...//The tools carried by H. habilis is called - oldowan...//The tool kit of Neandertals is - mousterian...//The tools used by Australopiths are - not known yet
That so few living Africans possess Neandertal genes is more compatible with:
Total replacement model of human evolution
Match the facts that describe what is not explained well enough for the two theories Total Replacement and Regional Continuity?
What is not explained in total replacement is - where did the premoderns located in Asia, Africa, and Europe go?...//What regional continuity does not explain is - how natural selection could lead to one species in separate ecosystems all in the same timline over 3 continents
The single most important feature of a mammal that will define it as a hominin is that it is ____________.
a biped
What is a "homology"? What is the danger of mixing it up with an analogy?
a homology is - a similar trait two organisms...//the danger mixing up a homology with an analogy is - thinking a trait is homologous...
Two cranial features that tell you when you have definitely found an anatomically modern H. sapiens are
a pyramid shaped mastoid and a canine fossa is there
What is adaptive radiation? What makes it a macroevolutionary process (rather than a microevolutionary process)?
adaptive radiation names how species expand outward over new geographic space, then adapt to it. Over time speciation can occur. Speciation itself is a maco process.
Non-human primate grooming is:
an affiliative behavior that reinforces bonds or instigates reconciliation
In the film "Ape Genius" an experiment was done to see if apes can learn by copying. It went like this:
an ape was taught the two steps necessary to get a grape from a machine and others learned by watching
Describe at least three of the threats to living non-human primates in the wild (Multiple answer)
bush meat/poaching...//deforestation/reduced habitat ...//live capture for zoos/pets
Describe several of the technological advances seen in anatomically modern H. sapiens culture. (multiple answers)
cave art and clay figurines ...// adhesives for spear heads and stone tool handles ...// barbed harpoon used for fishing...//traps and snares for hunting...//microliths ...//burials are more common (than Neandertal burials)...// more elaborate burials (than Neandertals) ...//use of a spear thrower ...//bead making...//bone and ivory engravings ...//tools made with punch blade technique
describe two of four fields in anthropology
cultural anthropology studies humans, their behavior and beliefs.../linguistic anthropology is the study of how people use language, the languages of the past...
T/F: in the film Great Transformations we learned that a mouse eye gene and a fly eye gene are the same gene.
true
Apes and mammals share these features: body hair, larger brain (relative to body), tendency for upright posture, grasping hands and feet
false
H. sapiens are the only species who buried their dead.
false
T/F: One feature of quadrupeds is their femurs/knees angle inward to balance their pelvis.
false
Name at least seven skeletal adaptations that indicate a biped primate. (multiple answers)
foramen magnum centrally located ...//pelvis is wider that quadruped's pelvis...//s-curve to spine...//lower limb proportionally longer than upper limbs ...//knees closer together ...//arch to foot...//curve under width of foot
While H. erectus has a distinctive nucal torus, but another physical feature is more useful in identifying the H. erectus species. What is it?
from the rear view, the skull is widest under the ear-line creating a distinct shape
While H. erectus has a distinctive nucal torus, another feature is more useful in identifying the H. erectus species. What is it?
from the rear view, the skull is widest under the ear-line, creating a pentagon shape
What is curious and telling about the dates for the earliest hominin fossils (at 7 million years ago) considering these earliest bipeds diverged from the ancestors of the great apes right around the same time??
human ancestors began to walk upright yet apes didn't. But weren't they in the same locations (environment)? What triggered one group and not the other group?
List the seven families (groups) of primates categorized by physical anthropologists.
humans ...//apes ...// lorises ...//old world monkeys ...// lemurs ...// tarsiers ...//new world monkeys
Total replacement is a model of human evolution that postulates
humans arose in Africa only and may not have interbred with other species
What does "ethnocentric" mean and why do anthropologists try to avoid it?
it means to think your own cultural practices are better than others'. Physical anthropologists try to avoid this mindset so they can be open to any data, even that which surprises them
Name two of the four fields in anthropology. (MULTIPLE ANSWER)
linguistic anthropology is the study how people use language, the languages of the past, and the features of language...//cultural anthropology studies humans, their behavior and beliefs, in present-day societies
In the section on primate cognition and culture, several examples are given of non-human primates using planning/reasoning, and learning social facts/culture. Name several examples. (Multiple Answers)
made spears (to hunt) or to test deptth...// learned to prefer washed, or salted, food ...//tool use (modifying an item for a specific use...//regional varieties of nest building show culture ...//use of stones and branches to crack open food
The Complete Replacement model explains modern H. sapiens evolution as events where:
modern H. sapiens evolved in Africa only
List seven categories of primates. (HINT: the glossary definition gives you only six categories; but monkeys are always divided into two categories! or look at: two categories in strepsirhini; five in haplorhini.)
new world monkeys / old world monkeys / lemurs / lorises / apes / humans / tarsiers
In the book and films we learned that apes could acquire some language:
one young ape understood spoken English with direct teaching
Name two more of the the four fields in anthropology. (MULTIPLE ANSWER)
physical anthropology studies humans, human ancestors, and other primates ...//archaeologists study cultures of the past
Describe (not just name) two of the the four fields in anthropology. (MULTIPLE ANSWER)
physical anthropology studies humans, human ancestors, and other primates/archaeologists study cultures of the past
In the section on primate cognition and culture, several examples are given of non-human primates using planning/reasoning, and learning social facts/culture. Name several examples. (Multiple Answers)
regional varieties of nest building show culture...//use of stones and branches to crack open food ...//made spears (to hunt) or to test water deptth...//learned to prefer washed, or salted, food ...//tool use (modifying an item for a specific use)
In the book and films we learned that primates make tools. These included:
spears for hunting, sticks to measure water depth, leaves capture water
Regional Continuity is a module of human evolution that postulates
that premoderns on each continent independently evolved into H. sapiens in seperate niches
What is an "analogy"? What is the danger is there with mixing it up with a homology?
the danger mixing up analogies with homologies is - an analogy indicates traits...//an analogy is - a similar feature based on...
(D) Two distinct primate characterists include: 1) "generalized" teeth with distinct functions that each process different nutritional needs 2) no specialization of diet, especially since teeth are generalized.
true
(F) Three distinct primate characterists include: 1) increased complexity and expansion of the brain, beyond most other mammalian brains 2) transmission of visual information to the brain is specialized, aiding steroscopic vision 3) increased time spend to maturity in social groups, with a dependence on learning
true
Ardipithecus skeletons indicate features of quadrupeds and also of bipedal movement.
true
Both Paranthropus and Australopithicus had large molars.
true
Chinese H. erectus is the premodern species that came before H. sapiens in China
true
H. heidelbergensis is thought to be the direct ancestor of African H. sapiens and Neandertals
true
Natural selection is a theory of how environmental changes affect the reproductive success of any individual within a population.
true
T/F: Apes and humans both have a brain that can learn language, but apes do not speak.
true
T/F: Darwin's definition of evolution emphasized "changes to a population by natural selection" rather than mentioning gene frequencies.
true
T/F: From the film "Inner Monkey" we learned that millions of years back color vision probably developed in monkeys as an adaptation to help them gather ripe and nutritious foods.
true
T/F: Humans are primates
true
T/F: Humans are the only primates how are called "obligate bipeds."
true
T/F: If you are presently in your 20s or 30s, you will learn of at least one primate species went extinct (and probably more than one) during your lifetime.
true
T/F: Some American students studying evolution may have to practice cultural relativity if their personal beliefs are that Genesis is the only truth to creation.
true
T/F: Uniformitarianism was the idea that the progresses of geology stay the same over time and at different locations. So time can be predicted using the physics of geological processes.
true
T/F: While all monkeys have a tale, apes lack a tail.
true