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Human Evolution And Diversity > Term 1 > Flashcards

Term 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the modern definition of evolution

A

Changes in frequency of alleles over time

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2
Q

How does a population evolve?

A

A change in frequency of alleles of that population

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3
Q

What were Darwins contributions to evolution?

A

The theory of evolution by natural selection

The application of that theory to humans

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4
Q

What is natural selection

A

An evolutionary process that causes adaptation in nature

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5
Q

How does natural selection work

A

Variation (differences in individuals that affect survival and reproduction)

Competition (the struggle for existence)

Inheritance (traits being passed off to offspring)

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6
Q

What is artificial selection?

A

A type of natural selection accelerated by humans

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7
Q

What is the red queen hypothesis

A

A theory that adaptation is a constant arms race as species continually respond to one another.

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8
Q

What is sexual selection

A

Traits that can reduce survival may evolve if it increases chances of reproduction

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9
Q

What is allopatric speciation

A

When a geographical barrier causes speciation in a population

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10
Q

What is sympatric speciation

A

When isolation causes speciation within a population

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11
Q

What was Darwin’s model of inheritance?

A

Gemmules, which are hypothesised organic particles containing heritable information which distribute throughout the body.

Prior to reproduction, gemmules combine to form a complete diet of information

Modified gemmules are inherited by the offspring if the environment changes parentsal traits.

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12
Q

What is the weissman barrier

A

Weissmans proposition that only the information in germ cells was inherited, and changes to somatic cells was not passed to offspring, and was demonstrated with an experiment removing tails of mice

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13
Q

What is blending inheritance

A

When traits average out after inheritance and are lost over many generations

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14
Q

What is Mendelian inheritance

A

The pea experiment which suggested that inheritance is particulate and offspring’s inherit two copies of traits, which are either dominant or recessive

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15
Q

What is dna?

A

Molecules containing heritable information in cells, stored in a code format

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16
Q

What is a gene

A

The basic unit of heritable information

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17
Q

What is a genotype

A

The genetic make up of an organism

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18
Q

What is a phenotype

A

The observable characteristics of an organism

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19
Q

Where does variation come from

A

Mutation (copying errors) or recombination (shuffling)

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20
Q

How does mitosis and meiosis cause variation

A

In mitosis, a division of somatic cells during growth and repair, in which changes are not inherited

In meiosis, the division of germ cells causes a change in inheritance.

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21
Q

What are epigenetics

A

How behaviours and environment affect the way your genes work, for example even identical twins are not phenotypically identical.

This only causes differences in how dna is read

Epigenetic changes can be inherited by offspring from the parental generation

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22
Q

Was Lamarck right?

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A

No, because epigenetics don’t result from use and disuse, as they are reversible and often transient changes.

23
Q

What is the difference between micro and macro evolution.

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A

Micro evolution are small temporal and spatial changes, while macro evolution are large tempera and spatial changes.

24
Q

What is the genetic evidence for human variation

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A

We can estimate the age of our species based on genetic diversity and mutation rates, for example mitochondrial dna is inherited maternally, with a faster mutation rate than nuclear
Mitochondrial fever is the most recent common female ancestor

25
What are Neanderthals
An extinct human lineage co existing with Sapiens Ancient dna extracted from Neanderthal bones shows evidence of interbreeding Up to 4 percent of our dna comes from humans
26
What are Denisovans
A human lineage living alongiside sapiens in Asia They have very few physical remains Up to 6 percent of dna comes from denisovans
27
Are humans still adapting?
Yes, some egs are sickle cell alleles, lactase persistence, smallpox resistance
28
How do we know that humans are still adapting
An increase in frequency and reduction in diversity
29
What is the difference between adaptations and adjustments
Adjustments are non genetic responses to environments within organisms lifetimes Adaptations are genetic responses to natural selection, which are permanent and heritable.
30
How did humans adapt to climate and altitude.
Skin colour : correlated with variation in uv levels Body size and proportions: size and shape is larger and stockier at high latitudes
31
What adjustments do humans make for high altitudes
Behaviour: limiting physical activity Acclimatisation: faster heart rate and respiration Developmental: slower growth rates to preserve vital functions.
32
What is race
Discrete social categories based on perceived ancestors Not to be confused with ethnicity
33
What is cultural evolution?
The study of cultural change using modified evolutionary theory and methods.
34
What is gene culture co evolution
A theoretical framework that examines how genetic and cultural inheritance systems influence each others evolution
35
What are universal traits
Traits that may be due to shared biological characteristics Which may not be the result of genetic adaptations
36
What is the controversy over universal traits
Claims of universality may be misinterpreted as claims of genetic determinism. Defining cultural traits in a truly universal way is very difficult.
37
What are hominids
The collective name for modern and fossil species of humans
38
What is bipedalism
The primary mode of movement in humans and their ancestors.
39
What are the adaptations to bipedalism
The foremen magnum The spine The pelvis The hind limbs Feet
40
What are Australopiths
Australopiths are a genus of extinct hominin species
41
What are the characteristics of homo habilis
Larger brain than Australopiths The first appearance of stone tools Still shows adaptations to arboreal lifestyles
42
What are the characteristics of homo erectus
Postcranially very different to homo habilis (taller thinner, arms shorter legs longer Abrupt changes to anatomy (much larger brain) Behavioural differences (eating meat and possible use of fire)
43
What are the differences between homo erectus and homo ergaster
Erectus had pronounced brow ridges and Sagittal keels while ergaster had less pronounced brow ridges and no sagittal keel
44
What are the characteristics about homo floresiensis
Very small in stature Very small cranial capacity Receding foreheads No chin Human like scapula
45
What are the characteristics of homo heidelbergensis
Larger cranial capacity Higher forehead Massive brow ridges Tall Direct evidence of hunting
46
What were the origins of Neanderthal
Late middle Pleistocene Found in Western Europe Found in the Levant
47
What are the characteristics of Neanderthals
Larger brain Double arched brow ridges Wide and large noses No chin Broad chest Short forearms and shins Short and stocky build
48
Where did Homo sapiens originate
First appeared in Africa Qafzeh Did non enter Europe till 40,000 years ago and had a temporal overlap with Neanderthals
49
What are the characteristics of Homo sapiens
Flat faces Vertical nasal bones Tall and less robust Long legs and short arms
50
What are the new approaches to find fossils
DNA DNA identification
51
What are the characteristics of homo naledi
Cranium shaped like smaller brained homo erectus Hands and feet are very long, with strong muscle attachements, with a pinching ability and powerful grip Lower limb
52
Explain the behaviour of Neanderthals
Used decorative materials Modern forms of behaviour Interpersonal violence Caring for sick and injured
53
What are three major patterns of human subsistence
Foraging Hunting Scavenging
54

Human Evolution And Diversity (2 decks)

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