ANTH116 Midterm 1: Vocab

Here are your flashcards in term-definition format:

### Genetics & Molecular Biology

1. Allele – A variant form of a gene.

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

3. Homozygous – Having two identical alleles for a given gene.

4. Heterozygous – Having two different alleles for a given gene.

5. Recombination – The exchange of genetic material during meiosis, increasing genetic diversity.

6. Independent Assortment – The random distribution of alleles during gamete formation.

7. Gamete – A haploid reproductive cell (sperm or egg).

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

9. Genetic Drift – Random changes in allele frequencies within a population over time.

10. Founder’s Effect – A type of genetic drift that occurs when a small population establishes a new colony, leading to reduced genetic diversity.

11. Stabilizing Selection – Natural selection that favors intermediate traits over extremes.

12. Directional Selection – Selection that favors one extreme phenotype over others.

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

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

15. Dominant (allele) – An allele that is expressed in a heterozygous genotype.

16. Recessive (allele) – An allele that is only expressed when homozygous.

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

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

19. DNA – The molecule that carries genetic information.

20. 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.

21. Exon – A coding segment of DNA that is transcribed into mRNA.

22. Coding DNA – DNA sequences that code for proteins.

23. Non-Coding DNA – DNA sequences that do not code for proteins but may have regulatory functions.

24. Translation – The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

25. Transcription – The process of making RNA from DNA.

26. Alternative Splicing – A process where different combinations of exons are joined to produce multiple mRNA variants.

27. Mitochondrion – An organelle that produces cellular energy (ATP).

28. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) – DNA found in mitochondria, inherited maternally.

### Anatomy & Locomotion

29. Post-Orbital Closure – A bony wall behind the eye socket, characteristic of primates with high visual reliance.

30. Post-Orbital Bar – A bony ridge surrounding the eye but lacking full closure.

31. Orbital Convergence – The forward-facing orientation of eyes, providing depth perception.

32. Gluteal Muscles (Maximus, Medius, Minimus) – Muscles that stabilize the pelvis and aid in bipedal locomotion.

33. Pelvic Tilt Mechanism – A system where gluteal muscles maintain balance and stability during bipedal walking.

### Evolutionary Concepts

34. Macroevolution – Large-scale evolutionary changes, including speciation events.

35. Microevolution – Small-scale evolutionary changes within a population.

36. Adaptive Radiation – The rapid diversification of a species into multiple forms to exploit different niches.

37. Hybridization – The interbreeding of individuals from different species or populations.

38. Primitive Character – A trait inherited from a distant common ancestor.

39. Derived Character (or Trait) – A newly evolved trait specific to a particular lineage.

### Primate Taxonomy & Fossil Record

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

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

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

43. Adapis – An early primate from the Eocene, resembling modern lemurs.

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

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

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

47. Sivapithecus – A Miocene ape thought to be closely related to orangutans.

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

49. Dryopithecus – A Miocene ape with adaptations for arboreal life.

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

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

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

53. Homo – The genus that includes modern humans and their close ancestors.

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

55. Homo ergaster – A possible African variant of H. erectus.

### Tools & Diet

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

57. Sectorial (Honing) Premolar – A premolar adapted for sharpening the upper canine.

58. Canine Honing Mechanism – A feature where the premolar sharpens the canine as the jaw closes.

59. Carcass Consumption Sequence – The order in which an animal carcass is consumed, used to infer hunting vs. scavenging behavior.

### Genetics & Evolutionary Mechanisms

60. Point Mutation – A change in a single nucleotide of DNA.

61. Crossing Over – The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

62. Gene Duplication – The creation of extra copies of a gene, leading to genetic innovation.

### Anatomy & Physiology

63. Auditory Bulla – A bony structure housing the middle ear, important for hearing.

64. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) – The energy expenditure required to maintain basic bodily functions at rest.

### Cell Division & Chromosomal Structures

65. Meiosis – A type of cell division that produces haploid gametes.

66. Mitosis – A type of cell division that produces identical diploid cells.

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

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

### Reproductive & Evolutionary Fitness

69. Reproductive Success – The ability to pass genes to the next generation.

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

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

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