Biological Anthropology Final

What is cultural anthropology?

- The study of human societies, especially in a cross-cultural context

what is Adaptive Radiation?

The evolutionary process in which organisms diversify rapidly into a variety of forms to adapt to different environments.

what are Somatic Cells?

All cells in an organism except gametes (reproductive cells)

what are Gametes?

Sexual reproductive cells (ova and sperm) that contain a haploid number of chromosomes.

what is Microevolution?

Changes in a population's allele frequencies over short time periods, occurring within a single species.

what is Menarche?

a girl's first menstrual period, marking the beginning of her reproductive capacity and the onset of puberty

what is Melanin?

dark pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes. It also plays a crucial role in protecting the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Primates and offspring number relative to non-primates

Primates tend to have a lower rate of reproduction, with fewer offspring per litter and longer intervals between births compared to non-primates.

what is Rhinarium?

The moist, hairless skin surrounding the nostrils in many mammals, aiding in their sense of smell.

what are Strepsirrhines?

A suborder of primates that includes lemurs, galagos, and lorises.

what is Kin Selection?

A form of natural selection that favors altruistic behaviors, increasing the fitness of the donor’s relatives and enhancing gene survival.

What is polygyny in primates?

A mating system where one male mates with multiple females, while each female typically mates with only one male.

what is Visual predation hypothesis?

A theory proposing that certain primate traits evolved as adaptations for hunting insects and small prey in trees.

what is Angiosperm radiation hypothesis?

A theory suggesting that the rapid diversification of flowering plants during the Cretaceous period influenced the evolution of ecosystems and biodiversity.

what is Arboreal Hypothesis?

A theory of primate evolution suggesting that key traits, such as grasping hands and feet, forward-facing eyes, and depth perception, evolved as adaptations for life in trees.

What distinguishes the anthropoid eye structure from other primates?

Anthropoids have a fully enclosed eye socket, providing enhanced protection and stability compared to primates with only a postorbital bar.

What was a major environmental factor in Miocene ape extinction?

Global cooling and increasing aridity led to the decline of forests, replacing them with seasonal woodlands and grasslands.

what is diastema?

a space or gap between teeth, particularly between the canines and incisors in the upper jaw

What is a defining trait of hominins?

Upright posture, allowing efficient movement and freeing the hands for tool use.

What is a key feature of hominin dental enamel?

Thicker enamel, which helps protect teeth from fracture-related damage

What is the Patchy Forest Hypothesis?

A theory suggesting that bipedalism in hominins evolved as an efficient way to move through fragmented forest landscapes and locate food.

what is the Provisioning hypothesis?

A theory suggesting that males evolved to provide resources, particularly food, for their mates and offspring, influencing social bonding and reproductive success.

What is a bipedal body plan?

A body structure adapted for walking on two legs, providing upright posture, balance, and efficient locomotion

How does bipedalism improve energy efficiency compared to quadrupedal movement?

Walking on two legs requires less energy over long distances compared to quadrupedal movement, making travel more efficient.

who were the Robust australopithecines?

A group of hominins characterized by large teeth, powerful jaws, and adaptations for chewing tough plant material.

What is relative dating?

A method that determines the order of events (whether something is older or younger) without providing an exact age.

How did climate influence hominin evolution?

Changing climates shaped hominin adaptations, influencing bipedalism, diet, and survival strategies.

Ape environment

dense tropical forests to grasslands and montane forests.

Taphonomy

the study of what happens to the remains of an animal from the time of its death to the time of discovery

Half-life

The time it takes for half of the radioisotopes in a substance to decay; used in various radiometric dating methods.

Stratigraphy

The study of rock layers (strata) and their arrangement in geological formations, used to understand Earth's history.It involves analyzing the distribution and succession of sedimentary layers to infer temporal sequences.

What is the oxygen-16/oxygen-18 ratio?

It refers to the proportion of oxygen isotopes in natural samples, such as ice cores, ocean sediments, and fossilized shells.

Which genus is most associated with stone tool use?

The genus Homo is closely linked to the development and use of stone tools, marking a significant step in human evolution.

Increase in brain and body of Homo erectus, why?

- including environmental pressures, dietary changes, and the demands of complex social structures

what was the First hominid to leave Africa?

Homo erectus

Why was fire control important for hominins?

Fire provided warmth, protection, and cooking abilities, which improved survival and dietary efficiency.

Who was Homo floresiensis?

A small-bodied hominin species that lived on the island of Flores, Indonesia, around 100,000 to 50,000 years ago

What are key features of the modern human cranium?

A large, rounded skull with a high forehead, reduced brow ridges, and a globular braincase

What is the Out of Africa model?

A theory proposing that modern humans (Homo sapiens) originated in Africa and migrated outward, replacing archaic human populations.

Where were Neanderthals primarily located?

Neanderthals lived across Europe and western Asia, adapting to cold climates and diverse environments.

What is Allen's Rule?

A biological principle stating that animals in colder climates tend to have shorter limbs and appendages than those in warmer areas, promoting heat conservation.

What is Bergmann's Rule?

A principle that states that larger body sizes are found in cooler climates to conserve heat, while smaller sizes are common in warmer areas.

When did agriculture emerge?

Agriculture began around 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic period, marking a transition from hunter-gatherer societies to farming-based settlements.

What is domestication?

The process of selectively breeding animals or plants for human use, leading to genetic, behavioral, and environmental changes.

What is Sahelanthropus tchadensis?

An early hominin species that lived around 7 million years ago, potentially one of the oldest known members of the human lineage.

What is uniformitarianism?

The geological principle stating that the same natural processes operating today have shaped the Earth over long periods of time.

Who was Charles Darwin?

A British naturalist known for developing the theory of evolution by natural selection.

What is Wolff's Law?

A principle stating that bone adapts to the forces it experiences—stronger bones develop under mechanical stress, while weaker bones result from reduced stress.

what is Linguistic anthropolgy?

Linguistic anthropology:

- The study of language, its history, and use linguistics

What is Archaeology?

Archaeology:

- The study of the material culture of past peoples

- Artifacts

- Material culture

what is biological anthropology?

Biological anthropology:

- study of human biological evolution and biocultural variation

- Two key concepts:

All humans are products of evolutionary history

All humans are products of their individual life histories

How do somatic cells form?

Somatic cells are produced through mitosis, ensuring genetic consistency across tissues.

How do species change over time through mutations?

Mutations accumulate, leading to specialized adaptations, such as wolves evolving from dogs with thicker fur and larger bodies to survive harsher climates.

What is an example of adaptive radiation in birds?

Finches evolved from a basic ancestral species into multiple varieties, each specialized for different environments.

How does beak shape relate to environmental adaptation?

A delicate beak is adapted for eating small seeds, demonstrating how physical traits evolve to match available resources.

What is an example of cultural differences in learned behavior?

Nighttime routines vary across different cultures, reflecting diverse customs and social norms.

What is ethnography?

A research method that involves collecting information through observation, living with communities, engaging in daily activities such as housing, eating, cooking, cleaning, and gathering. It focuses on studying learned behavior.

How is a large volume of information accumulated over time in human societies?

Through social learning, which allows knowledge and practices to be passed down across generations.

What is the chromosome number in somatic cells?

Somatic cells are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

What do somatic cells contribute to the body?

They form the organs, tissues, and other functional parts of an organism’s body.

How do gametes contribute to reproduction?

Gametes unite with a gamete of the opposite type during fertilization to form a new organism.

What is the chromosome number in gametes?

Gametes are haploid, meaning they contain only one set of chromosomes.

How do gametes differ from somatic cells?

Unlike diploid somatic cells, gametes are haploid and specialize in sexual reproduction.

How does microevolution differ from macroevolution?

Microevolution occurs within species, involving small genetic changes, while macroevolution leads to the formation of new species over long time scales.

What are common causes of microevolution?

Natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow can all drive changes in allele frequencies within a population.

Can microevolution be observed in real time?

Yes! Examples include antibiotic resistance in bacteria and changes in beak size in finches due to environmental shifts.

Why do primates have fewer offspring per litter?

Primates invest more time and care into each offspring, ensuring better survival and development rather than producing large numbers of offspring.

How does the rhinarium contribute to sensory function?

The rhinarium helps mammals detect scents more effectively by keeping their nose moist, which improves their ability to capture airborne molecules.

Which primate group has a rhinarium?

Strepsirhini primates, such as lemurs, lorises, and galagos, possess a damp nose that enhances their olfactory abilities

What distinguishes Strepsirhini primates from Haplorhini primates in terms of nasal structure?

Strepsirhini primates have a rhinarium and a stronger reliance on scent, while Haplorhini primates (monkeys, apes, and humans) lack a rhinarium and depend more on vision.

What is a key feature of Strepsirrhines?

They have a damp nose (rhinarium), which helps gather environmental information through scent particles.

How does the damp nose benefit Strepsirrhines?

It enhances their sense of smell, aiding in detecting food, predators, and social cues in their environment.

How does helping close relatives benefit an organism’s genetic survival?

By aiding relatives, an individual ensures the survival of shared genes, improving the overall chances of gene transmission across generations.

How does kin selection impact group survival?

It can reduce overall group survival in some cases, as individuals prioritize helping genetically similar relatives over aiding unrelated members.

What is an example of kin selection in nature?

Worker bees sacrifice their ability to reproduce to support their genetically related queen, increasing the survival of shared genes.

What is polyandry in primates?

A mating system where one female mates with multiple males, while each male mates with only one female. This system is rare among primates.

What is monogamy in primates?

A social structure involving an adult male, an adult female, and their offspring.

What is a solitary social organization in primates?

A system where individual primates forage alone, often within overlapping territories, with limited social interaction beyond vocal or olfactory communication.

What are key traits supporting the Visual Predation Hypothesis?

Forward-facing eyes for depth perception and grasping hands for catching prey.

How does tree hunting relate to primate evolution?

Primates developed traits that enhance their ability to locate, stalk, and capture prey in complex, arboreal environments.

How did flowering plants impact primate evolution?

The spread of fruit-bearing trees provided new food sources, driving adaptations like improved vision and grasping hands for fruit gathering.

Why was fruit-eating significant in early primates?

Fruit-rich environments encouraged primates to develop specialized traits for detecting, reaching, and consuming fruit, shaping their evolution

How do grasping hands and feet benefit primates in arboreal environments?

They allow primates to securely grasp branches, improving mobility and stability in trees.

Why are forward-facing eyes important for tree-dwelling primates?

Forward-facing eyes enhance depth perception, which helps primates accurately judge distances when moving between branches.

What is the function of the fully enclosed eye socket in anthropoids?

It prevents lateral movement of the eyes and enhances visual acuity, supporting their reliance on precise, forward-facing vision.

How does a postorbital bar differ from a fully enclosed eye socket?

A postorbital bar is an open bony structure behind the eye, present in some primates, whereas anthropoids have a complete bony enclosure for added protection.

How did environmental changes affect ape survival during the Miocene?

The shift to more open habitats made it difficult for many ape species to find suitable food and shelter, leading to population declines.

What happened to forests during the Miocene era?

Forests diminished due to cooling temperatures, creating drier, more seasonal environments dominated by grasslands.

Why did many ape species struggle to adapt to the new environment?

Ape species that relied on forest ecosystems for food and shelter faced survival challenges in the changing landscape.

How does diastema relate to primate dentition?

Some primates have a diastema to accommodate large canine teeth, allowing the jaw to close properly.

How does bipedal locomotion benefit hominins?

Walking on two legs improves endurance, frees the hands for carrying objects, and aids survival in diverse environments.

Why are hominins' brains larger and more advanced?

Larger brains support problem-solving, social behaviors, and complex thinking, enabling tool use and communication.

How did hominins' specialized tool use influence evolution?

Using tools improved survival by aiding in hunting, food preparation, and environmental adaptation.

Why did hominins develop thicker enamel?

To resist tooth loss while consuming tough foods, such as nuts, roots, and fibrous plants.

What is a quadrupedal body plan?

A body structure designed for movement on four limbs, offering stability and speed in various environments.

What are key skeletal differences between bipeds and quadrupeds?

Bipeds have a vertically aligned spine, a broad pelvis, and arched feet, while quadrupeds have a horizontal spine, elongated limbs, and a different center of gravity.

How does locomotion efficiency differ between bipeds and quadrupeds?

Bipeds excel in endurance walking and tool use, while quadrupeds are often faster and better suited for stable movement in diverse terrains.

How does bipedalism aid in carrying tools and infants?

Freed hands allow early hominins to transport objects, use tools, and care for offspring while moving.

What advantage does bipedalism provide in vision?

Standing upright improves the ability to scan the environment for predators, food sources, and social interactions.

How does bipedalism enhance thermoregulation?

An upright posture exposes less body surface to direct sunlight while increasing heat dissipation, helping hominins stay cool.