Human Origins Sample Exams

Oldowan tool complex

The earliest known stone tool industry, characterized by simple tools made by chipping stones to create sharp edges.

What is Homo habilis?

An early species of the genus Homo.

What is Homo habilis known for?

Its use of tools.

What is believed about Homo habilis in relation to human lineage?

It is one of the first members of the human lineage.

Pleistocene

A geological epoch that lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, marked by repeated glacial cycles and significant evolutionary developments in hominins.

Cranial capacity

The volume of the interior of the skull, often used as an indicator of brain size and cognitive abilities in hominins.

Gracile vs. robust

Terms used to describe two types of hominin skeletal structures; gracile refers to lighter, more slender builds, while robust refers to heavier, more muscular builds.

Sexual Dimorphism

The differences in size or appearance between males and females of the same species, often seen in body size and features.

What is Homo erectus?

An extinct species of hominin.

When did Homo erectus live?

From about 1.9 million years ago to as recently as 110,000 years ago.

What is one notable characteristic of Homo erectus?

Known for its use of fire and more advanced tools.

H. ergaster

A species closely related to Homo erectus, often considered an early form of Homo erectus that lived in Africa.

Pyrotechnology

The use of fire by early humans for various purposes, including cooking, warmth, and protection.

Homo floresiensis

A small-bodied hominin species discovered on the island of Flores in Indonesia, known for its unique features and small cranial capacity.

Microcephaly

A medical condition where a person's head is significantly smaller than expected, which can be associated with developmental issues.

Archaic Homo sapiens

An early form of modern humans that lived in Europe, Asia, and Africa, displaying a mix of modern and primitive traits.

Neandertals

A distinct group of archaic humans that lived in Europe and parts of Asia, known for their robust build and adaptation to cold climates.

Bergmann's rule

A principle stating that individuals of larger size are found in colder environments, while smaller individuals are found in warmer regions.

Allen's rule

A biological rule stating that endothermic animals in colder climates tend to have shorter limbs and body parts than those in warmer climates.

Cannibalism vs. carnivores

The distinction between the consumption of human flesh (cannibalism) and the consumption of animal flesh (carnivores) by hominins.

Multiregional evolution

A model of human evolution suggesting that modern humans evolved simultaneously in different regions of the world from local archaic populations.

Complete replacement model

A theory proposing that modern humans originated in Africa and then dispersed, replacing all other hominin populations without interbreeding.

Mitochondrial 'Eve'

The most recent common matrilineal ancestor of all living humans, inferred from mitochondrial DNA studies.

Denisovans

An extinct group of archaic humans known from a few fossil remains and DNA evidence, closely related to Neandertals.

Oldowan & Acheulean

Two major prehistoric stone tool industries; Oldowan is characterized by simple tools, while Acheulean features more advanced bifacial handaxes.

Levallois technique

A method of stone tool production that involves preparing a core to produce flake tools of predetermined shape and size.

Adaptive radiation

The rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor, often in response to new environmental challenges.

Taxonomy

The science of classification of living organisms, including the naming and categorization of species.

What are the four fields of anthropology?

The four fields of anthropology are Archaeology, Physical Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, and Linguistic Anthropology.

What is paleoanthropology?

Paleoanthropology is the study of ancient human species and their evolutionary history through fossil records.

What is the scientific method?

The scientific method is a systematic approach to inquiry that involves observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, and conclusion.

What is inductive reasoning?

Inductive reasoning is a logical process where generalizations are made based on specific observations.

What is a null hypothesis?

A null hypothesis is a statement that there is no effect or no difference, used as a starting point for statistical testing.

What is parsimony in scientific theories?

Parsimony is the principle that the simplest explanation, or the one that requires the least speculation, is usually preferred.

What is the significance of Darwin's theory of natural selection?

Darwin's theory of natural selection explains how species evolve over time through the survival and reproduction of individuals with favorable traits.

What is the Great Chain of Being?

The Great Chain of Being is a hierarchical structure of all matter and life, often depicted as a ladder from simple to complex forms.

What is binomial nomenclature?

Binomial nomenclature is a system of naming species using two terms: the genus name and the species identifier.

What are the four DNA bases?

The four DNA bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).

What is meiosis?

Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing gametes for sexual reproduction.

What is a genotype?

A genotype is the genetic constitution of an individual, representing the specific alleles inherited from parents.

What is the difference between homozygous and heterozygous?

Homozygous refers to having two identical alleles for a trait, while heterozygous refers to having two different alleles.

What is a Punnett square?

A Punnett square is a diagram used to predict the genetic outcomes of a cross between two individuals.

What is polygenic inheritance?

Polygenic inheritance is a type of inheritance where multiple genes influence a trait, resulting in a range of phenotypes.

What is genetic drift?

Genetic drift is the change in the frequency of an allele in a population due to random sampling of organisms.

What is adaptive radiation?

Adaptive radiation is the process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a wide variety of forms to adapt to different environments.

What is the founder's effect?

The founder's effect is a reduction in genetic diversity that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population.

What is cladistics?

Cladistics is a method of classifying species based on common ancestry and evolutionary relationships.

What is the difference between homology and analogy?

Homology refers to traits inherited from a common ancestor, while analogy refers to traits that arise independently due to similar environmental pressures.

What is the significance of the Modern Synthesis?

The Modern Synthesis integrates Darwinian evolution with Mendelian genetics, providing a comprehensive understanding of evolution.

What are ancestral traits?

Traits that are inherited from a common ancestor.

What are derived traits?

Traits that have evolved and are different from the ancestral form.

Nails vs. Claws

Nails are flat and provide better grip, while claws are curved and sharp, used for climbing and hunting.

What does diurnal mean?

Active during the day.

What does nocturnal mean?

Active during the night.

What does arboreal mean?

Living in trees.

What is binocular vision?

Vision that uses both eyes to perceive depth and distance.

What is a postorbital bar?

A bony structure that separates the eye socket from the jaw, providing support for the eyes.

What is quadrupedalism?

Movement using all four limbs.

What is brachiation?

A form of movement in which an organism swings from limb to limb using its arms.

What is the dental formula 2-1-2-3?

A dental formula indicating the number of teeth in each quadrant: 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars, and 3 molars.

What is the dental formula 2-1-3-3?

A dental formula indicating the number of teeth in each quadrant: 2 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars, and 3 molars.

What are Strepsirhini?

A suborder of primates that includes lemurs and lorises, characterized by a wet nose.

What are Haplorhini?

A suborder of primates that includes tarsiers, monkeys, and apes, characterized by a dry nose.

What is a dental comb?

A grooming structure found in some primates, formed by elongated incisors.

What is a fused mandible?

A condition where the two halves of the lower jaw are joined together.

What is Lorisoidea?

A superfamily of primates that includes lorises and galagos.

What are Lemuriformes?

An infraorder of primates that includes all lemurs.

What is Anthropoidea?

A clade that includes monkeys, apes, and humans.

What are Platyrrhini?

New World monkeys characterized by their flat noses.

What are Catarrhini?

Old World monkeys and apes characterized by their downward-facing nostrils.

What is Cercopithecoidea?

A superfamily that includes Old World monkeys.

What is Hominoidea?

A superfamily that includes apes and humans.

What is Hylobatidae?

The family of lesser apes, including gibbons.

What is Hominidae?

The family of great apes and humans.

What is a prehensile tail?

A tail that can grasp or hold objects, often seen in some New World monkeys.

What does frugivorous mean?

Feeding primarily on fruit.

What are Aye-ayes?

A type of lemur known for their long middle finger used for foraging.

What is Dermoptera?

An order of mammals that includes colugos, also known as flying lemurs.

What is grooming claw?

A specialized claw used for grooming, found in some primates.

What are Y-5 molars?

Molar teeth with five cusps arranged in a Y-shape, characteristic of hominoids.

What are bilophodont molars?

Molar teeth with two ridges, characteristic of Old World monkeys.

What is sexual dimorphism?

The difference in size or appearance between males and females of the same species.

What is behavioral ecology?

The study of the evolutionary basis for animal behavior due to ecological pressures.

What are hierarchies in primate behavior?

Social structures in which individuals are ranked relative to one another.

What is grooming in primates?

The act of cleaning another individual's fur, which strengthens social bonds.

What is infanticide?

The act of killing an infant, often observed in some primate species.

What is sexual selection?

A form of natural selection where individuals with certain traits are more likely to attract mates.

What is polyandry?

A mating system where one female mates with multiple males.

What is polygamy?

A mating system where an individual has multiple mating partners.

What is solitary behavior in primates?

A social structure where individuals live alone rather than in groups.

What is polygyny?

A mating system where one male mates with multiple females.

What is a monogamous pair?

A mating system where one male and one female form a long-term pair bond.

What is alloparenting?

Care of offspring by individuals other than the biological parents.

What is altruism in primate behavior?

Behavior that benefits another individual at a cost to oneself.

What is encephalization?

The increase in brain size relative to body size, often associated with higher cognitive functions.

What is kin selection?

A form of natural selection that favors behaviors benefiting relatives.

What is primate tool use?

The use of objects by primates to achieve a goal, such as obtaining food.

What is inclusive fitness?

An individual's total reproductive success, including the success of relatives.

What is social behavior in primates?

Interactions among individuals within a species, including mating, grooming, and group living.

What is sociobiology?

The study of social behavior in animals from an evolutionary perspective.