ANTH116 Midterm 1: Vocab

Allele

A variant form of a gene.

Gene

A segment of DNA that codes for a protein or function.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a given gene.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a given gene.

Recombination

The exchange of genetic material during meiosis, increasing genetic diversity.

Independent Assortment

The random distribution of alleles during gamete formation.

Gamete

A haploid reproductive cell (sperm or egg).

Zygote

A fertilized egg cell, the first stage of a developing organism.

Genetic Drift

Random changes in allele frequencies within a population over time.

Founder’s Effect

A type of genetic drift that occurs when a small population establishes a new colony, leading to reduced genetic diversity.

Stabilizing Selection

Natural selection that favors intermediate traits over extremes.

Directional Selection

Selection that favors one extreme phenotype over others.

Diploid

A cell with two sets of chromosomes (one from each parent).

Haploid

A cell with one set of chromosomes (e.g., gametes).

Dominant (allele)

An allele that is expressed in a heterozygous genotype.

Recessive (allele)

An allele that is only expressed when homozygous.

Base

A fundamental unit of DNA/RNA (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, uracil in RNA).

Codon

A sequence of three bases in DNA or RNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

DNA

The molecule that carries genetic information.

RNA

A nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Carries genetic instructions from DNA to ribosomes.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Brings amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis.

Micro RNA (miRNA)

Regulates gene expression.

Long Non-Coding RNA (lncRNA)

Involved in gene regulation.

Exon

A coding segment of DNA that is transcribed into mRNA.

Coding DNA

DNA sequences that code for proteins.

Non-Coding DNA

DNA sequences that do not code for proteins but may have regulatory functions.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

Transcription

The process of making RNA from DNA.

Alternative Splicing

A process where different combinations of exons are joined to produce multiple mRNA variants.

Mitochondrion

An organelle that produces cellular energy (ATP).

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)

DNA found in mitochondria, inherited maternally.

Post-Orbital Closure

A bony wall behind the eye socket, characteristic of primates with high visual reliance.

Post-Orbital Bar

A bony ridge surrounding the eye but lacking full closure.

Orbital Convergence

The forward-facing orientation of eyes, providing depth perception.

Gluteal Muscles (Maximus, Medius, Minimus)

Muscles that stabilize the pelvis and aid in bipedal locomotion.

Pelvic Tilt Mechanism

A system where gluteal muscles maintain balance and stability during bipedal walking.

Macroevolution

Large-scale evolutionary changes, including speciation events.

Microevolution

Small-scale evolutionary changes within a population.

Adaptive Radiation

The rapid diversification of a species into multiple forms to exploit different niches.

Hybridization

The interbreeding of individuals from different species or populations.

Primitive Character

A trait inherited from a distant common ancestor.

Derived Character (or Trait)

A newly evolved trait specific to a particular lineage.

Strepsirrhine

A suborder of primates that includes lemurs and lorises, characterized by a more developed sense of smell.

Haplorhine

A suborder of primates that includes monkeys, apes, and humans, with greater reliance on vision.

Carpolestes

A primate-like mammal from the Paleocene, possibly an early precursor to primates.

Adapis

An early primate from the Eocene, resembling modern lemurs.

Aegyptopithecus

An early primate from the Fayum deposits, thought to be an ancestor of Old World monkeys and apes.

Fayum

A rich fossil site in Egypt with many early primate fossils.

Miocene Apes

A diverse group of apes from the Miocene epoch, including Sivapithecus, Proconsul, and Dryopithecus.

Sivapithecus

A Miocene ape thought to be closely related to orangutans.

Proconsul

An early Miocene ape with a mix of monkey-like and ape-like traits.

Dryopithecus

A Miocene ape with adaptations for arboreal life.

Ardipithecus

An early hominin with a mix of climbing and bipedal traits.

Australopithecus

A genus of early hominins known for bipedal locomotion but with some climbing adaptations.

Paranthropus

A robust hominin genus with large jaws and teeth for heavy chewing.

Homo

The genus that includes modern humans and their close ancestors.

Homo erectus

An early species of Homo with modern limb proportions and advanced tool use.

Homo ergaster

A possible African variant of H. erectus.

Oldowan

The earliest known stone tool industry, used by early Homo.

Sectorial (Honing) Premolar

A premolar adapted for sharpening the upper canine.

Canine Honing Mechanism

A feature where the premolar sharpens the canine as the jaw closes.

Carcass Consumption Sequence

The order in which an animal carcass is consumed, used to infer hunting vs. scavenging behavior.

Point Mutation

A change in a single nucleotide of DNA.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

Gene Duplication

The creation of extra copies of a gene, leading to genetic innovation.

Auditory Bulla

A bony structure housing the middle ear, important for hearing.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The energy expenditure required to maintain basic bodily functions at rest.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces haploid gametes.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that produces identical diploid cells.

Chromosome

A structure made of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information.

Intron

A non-coding sequence of DNA removed during RNA processing.

Reproductive Success

The ability to pass genes to the next generation.

Fitness

An organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Structural Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates found in plant cell walls, such as cellulose, important in primate diets.