lab Flashcards
1
Q
a closed orbit indicates a primate or non primate
A
a closed orbit is a feature of primates
2
Q
Do primates have a long snout or a short snout relative to non-primates?
A
Primates typically have a short snout
3
Q
What features distinguish lemurs/lorises (strepsirrhines) from other primates?
A
Strepsirrhines are characterized by features such as a moist rhinarium (wet nose), a dental comb, and a grooming claw.
4
Q
True or false? Only lemurs and lorises are strepsirrhines.
A
False
5
Q
What features distinguish tarsiers from all other primates?
A
Tarsiers are characterized by their large eyes, long hind limbs, and the ability to rotate their heads almost 180 degrees.
6
Q
True or false? Humans are apes.
A
True. Humans belong to the family Hominidae
7
Q
What features are different between Old World Monkeys and New World Monkeys?
A
Old World Monkeys typically have downward-facing nostrils. New World Monkeys have outward-facing nostrils. Old World Monkeys also lack a prehensile tail, present in some New World Monkeys.
8
Q
What features are unique to apes?
A
Apes are characterized by a lack of a tail and larger brains relative to body size compared to other primates.
9
Q
New World Monkeys have bilophodont molars. What are bilophodont molars, and what sort of diet are they best suited for?
A
Bilophodont molars have two main ridges. This dental pattern is adapted for an omnivorous diet, including fruits, leaves, and insects.
10
Q
Which class of primates has a post-orbital bar?
A
Strepsirrhines (lemurs, lorises, etc.) have a post-orbital bar.
11
Q
You find an animal skull with forward-facing eyes and a post-orbital plate. Are you likely looking at a primate or non-primate?
A
You are looking at a non-primate. Forward-facing eyes and a post-orbital plate are characteristics of non-primates.
12
Q
Which primate class has a 2 1 2 3 dental formula?
A
The 2 1 2 3 dental formula is characteristic of Old-World Monkeys and apes.
13
Q
Which primate class has a different dental formula for the maxillary and mandibular dentition?
A
New World Monkeys have a different dental formula for maxillary and mandibular dentition.
14
Q
Sharp pointed teeth are good for puncturing the exoskeleton of insects—what kind of diet is this?
A
This is indicative of a carnivorous or insectivorous diet.
15
Q
A primate that eats primarily leaves would have what type of teeth? What kind of diet is this?
A
A primate that eats primarily leaves would likely have teeth adapted for grinding and shearing, reflecting a folivorous or herbivorous diet.
16
Q
Low rounded molars and large flat incisors are good for what type of diet?
A
These dental features are adapted for an omnivorous diet, including fruits, seeds, and some animal matter.
17
Q
What kind of dentition would gummivores have?
A
Gummivores, or animals that primarily consume gum or sap, would likely have teeth adapted for gripping and processing this sticky substance.
18
Q
Which is harder to digest, leaves or fruit?
A
Leaves are generally harder to digest due to their fibrous nature and the presence of compounds like cellulose.
19
Q
Why do folivores have a long, complex gut?
A
A long, complex gut aids in the microbial fermentation of plant material, helping folivores break down tough cellulose and extract nutrients.
20
Q
What type of molars do apes have?
A
Apes typically have Y-5 molars, characterized by multiple cusps forming a Y-shaped pattern, which is well-suited for grinding plant material.
21
Q
What features of the pelvis or innominate indicate bipedalism?
A
Bipedalism is often indicated by features such as a broad, short ilium, a broad sacrum, a broad, shallow sacroiliac joint, and a large, robust, and S-shaped lumbar region.
22
Q
What features of the pelvis or innominate indicate quadrupedalism?
A
Quadrupedalism is often indicated by a long and narrow ilium, a narrow sacrum, a small and elongated lumbar region, and a more vertical and mobile sacroiliac joint.
23
Q
True or false? Brachiation is part of suspensory locomotion.
A
True. Brachiation involves swinging from branch to branch using the arms and is a form of suspensory locomotion.
24
Q
Longer hind limbs relative to forelimbs would indicate what kind of locomotion?
A
Longer hind limbs relative to forelimbs are indicative of leaping or vertical climbing locomotion.
25
What features of an ape foot would tell you if the ape is a quadruped or a biped?
Ape feet are adapted for grasping and are generally not as specialized for bipedalism as human feet. Features such as a mobile first digit (opposable thumb-like toe) and a divergent hallux are indicative of arboreal and quadrupedal adaptations.
26
What is a bicondylar angle?
The bicondylar angle is the angle formed by the femoral condyles in relation to the long axis of the femur. In humans, this angle is important for stabilizing the knee during bipedal locomotion.
27
If the femur you are holding has no bicondylar angle, are you holding the femur of a biped or a quadruped?
You are likely holding the femur of a quadruped. A bicondylar angle is a characteristic feature of the human femur, which facilitates bipedal locomotion.
28
Is a biped more likely to have an adducted hallux or an abducted hallux?
A biped is more likely to have an adducted hallux (the big toe is oriented more in line with the other toes), which is a characteristic feature of the human foot.
29
True or false? Only obligate bipeds have transverse and longitudinal arches?
False. While the transverse and longitudinal arches are more developed in obligate bipeds like humans, even non-obligate bipeds may exhibit some degree of arching in their feet.
30
What features are used to determine sexual dimorphism in primates?
Features such as body size, canine size, and overall skeletal size and robustness are often used to determine sexual dimorphism in primates.
31
What is a cp3 honing complex, and what can it tell you about sexual dimorphism?
The CP3 honing complex refers to the canine-premolar honing complex, which is an adaptation seen in some primates where the upper canine is sharpened against the lower third premolar. The size and development of this complex can indicate sexual dimorphism, with males typically having larger canines.
32
Which type of social group or groups are the most sexually dimorphic? Which are the least sexually dimorphic?
Among primates, multi-male/multi-female social groups tend to be more sexually dimorphic, with one male dominating the group. Monogamous and single-male/multi-female groups are generally less sexually dimorphic.
33
What important feature of the skull indicates bipedalism?
The position of the foramen magnum, the opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes, indicates bipedalism. In bipeds, the foramen magnum is positioned centrally underneath the skull to support an upright posture.
34
Would a deep acetabulum and lateral facing ilium indicate bipedalism or quadrupedalism?
A deep acetabulum and lateral facing ilium are indicative of quadrupedalism. In bipeds, the acetabulum tends to be shallower, and the ilium is positioned more anteriorly to support the upright posture.
35
What type of social organization do gorillas have? What type of social organization do baboons have?
Gorillas have a harem-based social organization, with one dominant silverback male and multiple females and offspring. Baboons typically exhibit a multi-male/multi-female social structure with a dominance hierarchy.
36
What type of social organization do gibbons have? Which of these primate social groups likely has the most competition between their group members?
Gibbons have a monogamous social organization, forming pair bonds. Among these primate social groups, multi-male/multi-female groups are likely to have the most competition between their group members, especially among males vying for dominance and access to females.
37
Is it Bergmann’s Rule or Allen’s Rule that helps you identify whether a hominin is cold-adapted or hot-adapted?
Bergmann's Rule is the one that helps identify whether a species or population is cold-adapted or hot-adapted. It states that individuals in colder climates tend to have larger body sizes.
38
There are three stages or levels of response to high altitude based on the length of time of exposure: adaptation, acclimation, and acclimatization. What are the characteristics of each level of response? Which level of response is for the short-term? Which level of response is developmental? Which level of response is a product of evolution?
Adaptation is the long-term genetic response to high altitude.
Acclimation is the short-term physiological response to altitude exposure.
Acclimatization is a more general term encompassing both short-term and long-term adjustments.
Short-term response: Acclimation
Developmental response: Adaptation
Evolutionary response: Adaptation
39
Which vitamin is necessary for healthy fetal development?
Folate (or folic acid), a B-vitamin, is crucial for healthy fetal development, particularly in preventing neural tube defects.
39
If a person with lots of melanin moved to northern Europe, what health risks would they face due to the low levels of UVB radiation?
The person might face an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency due to limited UVB exposure, potentially leading to conditions like rickets or osteomalacia.
40
Which vitamin is necessary for healthy bone development?
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bone development as it helps in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
41
Is a person at greater risk of rickets far away from the equator or close to the equator?
A person is at greater risk of rickets far away from the equator, where UVB radiation is lower, affecting vitamin D synthesis.
42
Is a person at greater risk of spina bifida away from the equator or close to the equator?
A person is at greater risk of spina bifida away from the equator, where there may be lower levels of UVB radiation, impacting folate production through sunlight exposure.
43
What does it mean to have a clinal distribution of alleles?
A clinal distribution of alleles means that the frequency of genetic variants gradually changes across a geographic gradient rather than abruptly.
44
Is skin pigmentation discrete or clinal?
Skin pigmentation is clinal, showing a gradual variation across different latitudes.
45
True or false? Humans have distinct biological races.
False. The concept of distinct biological races in humans is not supported by modern genetic research. Human genetic variation is continuous and does not neatly fit into discrete racial categories.
46
Do a small body and long limbs indicate adaptation to a hot environment or a cold environment?
A small body and long limbs generally indicate adaptation to a hot environment, as they enhance heat dissipation.
47
What is Allen’s rule?
Allen's Rule states that endothermic animals from colder climates usually have shorter limbs and appendages compared to animals from warmer climates, which tend to have longer limbs and appendages.
48
What is Bergmann’s rule?
Bergmann's Rule states that within a species, individuals in colder climates tend to have larger body sizes than those in warmer climates.
49
Do humans have a high or low degree of genetic diversity?
Humans have a relatively low degree of genetic diversity compared to some other species, but there is still substantial diversity within the human population.
50
What is the relationship between UVB radiation and skin pigmentation? This is an example of what evolutionary mechanism?
The relationship between UVB radiation and skin pigmentation is an example of natural selection. In regions with higher UVB radiation, there is selection for darker pigmentation to protect against the harmful effects of excessive ultraviolet radiation. In regions with lower UVB radiation, lighter pigmentation allows for greater synthesis of vitamin D in the skin
51
True or false? Humans and Neanderthals are both in the genus Homo.
True. Both humans (Homo sapiens) and Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) belong to the genus Homo.
52
Increasing cranial capacity is a general feature of the genus Homo. Does Homo habilis or Homo erectus have a larger cranial capacity?
Homo erectus generally has a larger cranial capacity than Homo habilis.
53
What are the general features of the genus Homo?
The genus Homo is characterized by an increase in brain size, a reduction in facial prognathism, and the use of tools.
54
Name a hominin species that used Oldowan tools?
Homo habilis is associated with the use of Oldowan tools.
55
What is the difference between Acheulean tools and Mousterian tools?
Acheulean tools are characterized by bifacial (flaked on both sides) large cutting tools, while Mousterian tools are associated with the Levallois technique, involving prepared cores and flakes.
56
Are Acheulean tools bifacial?
Yes, Acheulean tools are bifacial, meaning they are flaked on both sides.
57
Name a hominin species that used Acheulean tools?
Homo erectus is associated with the use of Acheulean tools.
58
Mousterian tools use the Levallois technique. What does this sophisticated technique say about hominin cognition?
The Levallois technique indicates a higher level of cognitive planning and sophistication in tool production, suggesting advanced cognitive abilities in hominins using Mousterian tools.
59
Which tool technology had the most detailed retouching?
Upper Paleolithic tools, such as those associated with Homo sapiens, had the most detailed retouching.
60
Which is the simplest tool technology?
Oldowan tools are considered the simplest tool technology.
61
Name a hominin species that used Mousterian tools.
Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) are associated with Mousterian tools.
62
Which hominin species used Schoeningen spears?
Homo heidelbergensis is associated with the Schoeningen spears.
63
Which species is recognized by an occipital bun, mid-facial prognathism, and a retromolar gap?
Neanderthals are recognized by these features.
64
Which is the only hominin species to have a projecting chin?
Homo sapiens (modern humans) are the only hominin species with a projecting chin.
65
How are the Dmanisi fossils different from the other Homo species?
The Dmanisi fossils represent an early Homo erectus population with more primitive features, suggesting a high level of variation within this species.
66
Which species demonstrates Bergman’s rule with their shorter and wider body build? Is this an adaptation for cold climate or hot climate?
Neanderthals demonstrate Bergmann's rule with their shorter and wider body build, which is considered an adaptation to cold climates.
67
Did Neanderthals have speech?
There is evidence to suggest that Neanderthals had the anatomical capacity for speech, but the exact nature and complexity of their language abilities remain debated among scientists.
68
Which species was the first to domesticate fire? How did this influence their diet, and how did their diet influence their morphology?
Homo erectus is associated with the first evidence of controlled fire. The use of fire would have influenced their diet by providing the ability to cook food, making it more digestible. This could have contributed to changes in their morphology, such as smaller teeth and jaws.
69
Which species definitely used hunting as a food strategy (hint: there is more than one species)?
Homo erectus and Neanderthals are among the hominin species that are believed to have used hunting as a significant food strategy.
70
True or false? Humans are the only species who buried their dead.
False. Several hominin species, including Neanderthals, engaged in burial practices.
71
Did Neanderthals or only humans have art?
There is evidence of symbolic behavior and art among Neanderthals, challenging the notion that only humans engaged in artistic expression.
72
Did humans and Neanderthals interbreed?
Yes, there is evidence of interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, as indicated by genetic studies showing Neanderthal DNA in modern human populations.
73
Which hominin species is known only by their DNA?
Denisovans are known primarily through DNA analysis of ancient remains.
74
Is the genus Homo more or less prognathic than the genus Australopithecus?
The genus Homo is generally less prognathic than the genus Australopithecus.
75
Why is Homo floresiensis unusually small?
The small size of Homo floresiensis is thought to be an example of island dwarfism, where limited resources and isolation on Flores led to reduced body size over time.
76
What are the differences between Homo habilis and Homo rudolfensis? Do you think these hominins should be one species or two? Explain why you think so.
Homo habilis and Homo rudolfensis have differences in cranial features, and there is ongoing debate about whether they represent distinct species or variations within a single species.
77
What are the differences between Homo erectus and Homo ergaster? Do you think these hominins should be one species or two? Explain why.
Homo erectus and Homo ergaster are considered by some researchers to be regional variants of the same species. The classification depends on the criteria used for species distinctions.
78
The body build of Neanderthals is thought to be a consequence of adaptation to the cold ice age Europe environment. What features of Neanderthal morphology indicate this?
Neanderthals' shorter, stocky build, robust limbs, and large nasal passages are considered adaptations to cold climates, helping conserve heat and humidify cold, dry air.
79
True or false? Some humans have Denisovan DNA?
True. Some modern humans, especially those of Asian descent, carry Denisovan DNA.
80
Do you think that you have Neanderthal DNA? Why or why not?
yes because there is evidence of interbreeding between homo sapiens
81
What is a hominin?
A hominin is a member of the evolutionary group Hominini, which includes modern humans (Homo sapiens) and their closest extinct relatives that share a common ancestor with them more recently than with chimpanzees.
82
What features will help you recognize whether you are looking at an Australopithecus or a Paranthropus?
Australopithecus generally has a more human-like cranial shape with a less pronounced sagittal crest and smaller molars, while Paranthropus is characterized by a more robust skull, large molars, and a prominent sagittal crest.
83
What features will help you recognize a Sahelanthropus?
Sahelanthropus is recognized by its small canine teeth, a combination of ape-like and human-like features in the skull, and the position of the foramen magnum indicating bipedal locomotion.
84
The Ardipithecus genus is unique because of its combination of bipedal and suspensory climbing traits. What are these traits?
Ardipithecus exhibits a mosaic of features, including bipedal adaptations in the lower limb, but with a grasping big toe and relatively long arms suggesting some arboreal or suspensory behaviors.
85
The genus Paranthropus is unique because of its extreme masticatory adaptations. How do you recognize these masticatory adaptations in a fossil?
Masticatory adaptations in Paranthropus include large, flat molars, robust mandibles, and a sagittal crest for the attachment of strong chewing muscles. Fossils with these features indicate adaptations for chewing tough and fibrous vegetation.
86
Why is the Paranthropus genus considered robust?
The Paranthropus genus is considered robust due to its robust craniodental anatomy, including large chewing muscles, massive jaws, and large teeth adapted for heavy chewing.
87
What is the proper term for a very large/robust browridge?
The proper term for a very large/robust browridge is a supraorbital torus.
88
Which hominin genus is most likely to have a large sagittal crest?
The genus Paranthropus is most likely to have a large sagittal crest.
89
Name the two muscles discussed in lab that are important for chewing?
the masseter and the temporalis.
90
Which hominin genus likely had the thickest dental enamel?
Australopithecus africanus is one of the hominin genera that likely had relatively thick dental enamel.
91
Which species is nicknamed Lucy?
Lucy refers to the fossil specimen of the species Australopithecus afarensis.
92
How does bipedalism change throughout hominin evolution?
Bipedalism becomes more efficient and specialized over hominin evolution, with adaptations in the pelvis, spine, and limbs becoming more pronounced, leading to the fully upright posture and gait seen in modern humans.
93
Which morphological features are associated with efficient bipedalism?
Features associated with efficient bipedalism include a valgus knee (angled inward), a broad and bowl-shaped pelvis, a double-curved spine (lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis), and a non-opposable big toe.
94
Which hominin species had large canines relative to their incisors?
The genus Ardipithecus, including Ardipithecus ramidus, had large canines relative to their incisors.
95
Which hominin species lived in East Africa?
Various hominin species, including Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, and Homo, have been discovered in East Africa. Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis) is one example.
