Untitled Flashcards Set

Robert Broom

An influential figure in biological anthropology known for his work on early hominins.

Richard Leakey

Prominent paleoanthropologist who emphasized the distinction between evolutionary theory and empirical fact.

Olduvai Gorge

A significant archaeological site in Tanzania that has provided critical evidence of early human evolution.

Lucy

Refers to the famous Australopithecus afarensis fossil, valuable for understanding human ancestry.

Gene

A segment of DNA responsible for the inheritance of specific traits.

Australopithecus afarensis

An early hominin species known for its bipedalism.

Allele

Variants of a gene that determine specific traits.

Homo habilis

Early human species known for tool use.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Homo ergaster/erectus

Early human species noted for adaptations to diverse environments.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an organism.

Zhoukoudian site

A site in China important for the discovery of Homo erectus remains.

Law of Independent Assortment

A principle of genetics stating genes for different traits are inherited independently.

Recombination

The process during which chromosomes exchange genetic material.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Directional Selection

A type of natural selection that favors one extreme of a trait over the mean or other extreme.

Genetic Drift

The change in the frequency of a gene variant in a population due to random sampling.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic variation from one population to another.

Punctuated Equilibrium

A theory proposing that evolution occurs in rapid bursts separated by long periods of stability.

Clines

Gradual changes in the phenotype and genotype of a species over geographic space.

Skin Color

An adaptive feature that varies based on geographic location and environmental factors.

Thomson’s Nose Rule

The correlation between nose shape and climate adaptation.

Bergmann’s Rule/Allen’s Rule

Ecological principles that relate body size and shape to climate.

Genes and Disease

The study of how genetics contribute to diseases.

Importance of Collective Learning

A concept that shows humans’ unique ability to share and build on knowledge.

Neanderthal Extinction Theories

Hypotheses explaining the disappearance of Neanderthals in relation to modern humans.

Miocene/Pliocene/Pleistocene/Holocene

Geological epochs crucial for understanding human evolution.

Taxonomy

The science of classification of organisms.

Competition and Adaptation

The dynamic interactions of species as they adapt to their environment.

Convergent Evolution

The independent evolution of similar features in different species.

Raymond Dart

An anthropologist known for his discoveries in hominin evolution.

Prosimians

A group of primates that includes lemurs and tarsiers.

Hominid Dental Formula

The arrangement of teeth that distinguishes hominids from other primates.

Monkeys vs Apes – Differences

Monkeys generally have tails and differ in size, behavior, and genetics compared to tailless apes.

Bipedalism

The ability to walk on two legs, significant in the evolution of hominins.

Behavioral Ecology

The study of the ecological and evolutionary basis for animal behavior.

Paleolithic/Mesolithic/Neolithic

Prehistoric periods marking the development of human culture and technology.

Primatology

The study of nonhuman primates, their behavior, and their environments.

Hominin vs Hominid

Hominins refer to the human lineage after the split from apes, while hominids include all great apes and their ancestors.