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Biological Anthropology Exams > BioAnthro Midterm > Flashcards

BioAnthro Midterm Flashcards

1
Q

Subfields of BioAnthropology

A

Human biology - Study of human genetics, variation within our species, and how our species is affected by the evolutionary process.
Forensic Anthropology - Application of knowledge and methods of skeletal analysis to assist in legal investigations.
Primatology - Study of living primates, particularly their similarities and differences and why those similarities and differences might exist.
Paleoanthropology - Study of the anatomy and behavior of humans and our extinct relatives.

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2
Q

multi-field approaches

A

Interdisciplinary partnerships allow paleoanthropologists to gain a more complete picture of the past

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3
Q

Biocultural Perspective

A

A research approach that recognizes the close relationship between human biology and culture and attempts to study these two forces simultaneously

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4
Q

Structure of science

A

Science is divided into disciplines:
Historical (natural philosophy)
Modern (branches of science)
Different Approaches:
Field researchers
Experimentalists
Theorists

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5
Q

hypotheses

A

A testable explanation of the researchers observations

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6
Q

theoretical framework

A

the structure of a study that links the theory concepts to the study variables; a section of a research article that describes the theory used

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7
Q

observations

A

Scientists can make observations of a phenomena directly or they can use observations of phenomena made by other scientists from previous research

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8
Q

Testing and retesting

A

Scientific theory is open to reinterpretation and rejections. Scientists may also improve this research by new hypotheses.

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9
Q

Data

A

the hypothesis is actually tested

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10
Q

Earnest Hooton (1887-1954)

A

racial classification

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11
Q

W.W. Howells

A

Took Hooton’s position at Harvard after his death. Studied human variation and came up with the dataset that disproves race.

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12
Q

Carleton Coon (1904-1981)

A
  • Student of Hooton
  • The Origin of Races (1962): modern human ‘races’ were the result of local populations of
    Homo erectus evolving into Homo sapiens at different times; Europeans were first and therefore superior; book condemned by the American Anthropological Association the year it was published
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13
Q

Ashley Montague

A

Argues that the concept of race is wrong and meaningless- man’s most dangerous myth. “Scientific” definitions of race can’t capture human variation on complexity of evolutionary history

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14
Q

Sherwood Washburn (1911-2000)

A

pioneer in the primatology field, the study of primates in their natural habitats

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15
Q

Carolus Lineaus

A

Father of taxonomy

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16
Q

Typology

A

a classification according to general type, especially in archaeology, psychology, or the social sciences.

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17
Q

Hierarchy of progress

A

Idea that Evolution has occurred over time. Europeans believed that evolution was evolving for the better.

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18
Q

Samuel G. Morton (1799-1851)

A

Philadelphia doctor in early-19th century, he viewed brain size as criteria for intelligence. He collected over 6000 skulls to measure cranial capacity to determine brain size. He concluded that African and Native American were inferior races and his results fed the pro-slavery forces of the 19th century. He worked to justify and naturalize inequality along racial and cultural lines.

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19
Q

Ales Hrdlicka (1869-1943)

A

a classification according to general type, especially in archaeology, psychology, or the social sciences.

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20
Q

Evolution

A

Change over time; the process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms

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21
Q

Biological evolution

A

The change in inherited traits over successive generations in populations of organisms.

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22
Q

who, what, when;

A

who- organisms, what- change in traits over populations over time, when- beginning of time to now, it is a change over a long period of time

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23
Q

units of evolution and selection;

A

Unit of Evolution is the Population
–Individuals cannot evolve.
Unit of Selection is the individual
–Selection works on an individual’s phenotype

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24
Q

Mutation

A

change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information

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25
Q

natural selection

A

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

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26
Q

gene flow;

A

Movement of alleles into or out of a population due to the migration of individuals to or from the population

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27
Q

genetic drift;

A

Random Changes in allele frequencies in a population from generation to generation.

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28
Q

random versus non-random processes

A

Random - Random sampling is a sampling technique where each sample has an equal probability of getting selected
Non-Random - Non-random sampling is a sampling technique where the sample selected will be based on factors such as convenience, judgement and experience of the researcher and not on probability

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29
Q

new alleles versus shuffling alleles

A

shuffling- is the creation of new combinations of traits in offspring that are different from those in the parents.
New allele- can be formed as a result of mutation, this is the final source. Mutations are permanent changes in the sequences of DNA. It is the first step in creating a new DNA sequence for a specific gene that makes up a new allele

30
Q

directional selection

A

A mode of natural selection in which a single phenotype is favored, causing the allele frequency to continuously shift in one direction.

31
Q

sickle cell allele and malaria;

A

Sickle cell - a disease that results from the sickle cell allele
Malaria - infection caused by parasite that is transmitted via mosquitos tropical areas

32
Q

gene flow and variation within a population,

A

gene flow - the exchange of genes between previously isolated populations
Variation - change in allele frequency

33
Q

across populations

A

Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material from one population to another. Gene flow can take place between two populations of the same species through migration,

34
Q

gene flow barriers;

A

the change of genes between previously isolated populations

35
Q

genetic drift and small populations;

A

Genetic drift has a much greater impact on small populations.

36
Q

founder effect;

A

occurs when a few individuals become isolated from a larger population

37
Q

speciation

A

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

38
Q

stasis

A

Situation in which evolutionary lineages persist for long periods without change.

39
Q

anagenesis

A

Species formation without branching of the evolutionary line of descent.

40
Q

cladogenesis

A

The formation of a new group of organisms or higher taxon by evolutionary divergence from an ancestral form.

41
Q

speciation via different barriers;

A

Speciation is how a new kind of plant or animal species is created. Speciation occurs when a group within a species separates from other members of its species and develops its own unique characteristics.

42
Q

The Skeleton

A

The inner framework, made up of all the bones of the body that helps provide support to the body.

43
Q

bone tissue

A

Most rigid connective tissue, Internally supports body structures, very active tissue, heals much more rapidly than cartilage

44
Q

Bone cells

A

osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts

45
Q

Wolff’s law;

A

A bone grows or remodels in response to forces or demands placed upon it

46
Q

axial vs appendicular

A

The axial skeleton makes up our central axis and consists of the following bones: skull, vertebrae, ribs and sternum. The appendicular skeleton consists of the limbs and girdles. The girdles are the attachment points for the limbs.

47
Q

long bone

A

A bone that has a shaft and 2 ends and is longer than it is wide.

48
Q

Short bone

A

Carpals and tarsals

49
Q

flat bone

A

Thin and curved bone; serves as a point of attachment for muscles and protects internal organs

50
Q

irregular bone;

A

Vary in shape and structure and therefore do not fit into any other category (flat, short, long, or sesamoid). They often have a fairly complex shape, which helps protect internal organs. For example, the vertebrae, irregular bones of the vertebral column, protect the spinal cord.

51
Q

superior vs inferior

A

A body part higher than another or above it is said to be superior to it; conversely, the other body part is inferior to the first.

52
Q

anterior vs posterior

A

Anterior means near or towards the front of something and posterior means near or towards the back.

53
Q

medial vs lateral

A

A lateral orientation is a position away from the midline of the body. A medial orientation is a position toward the midline of the body.

54
Q

proximal vs distal;

A

Proximal then refers to something closer to the torso while distal refers to parts and places away from the torso.

55
Q

Primate Behavior

A

best understood in environment in which it evolved

56
Q

Cost/benefit analysis;

A

-No behavior you do, that doesn’t cost you anything.
-Mainly time and energy
-Is the cost lower than the benefit?
-Does the benefit out way the cost?

57
Q

life goals;

A

Eat, drink water, shelter, reproduce, and not die.

58
Q

affiliative vs aggressive behavior;

A

Affiliative
-Working together and creating social connections.
-Grooming (Ex. Gorillas) is important and is a calming/intimant behavior. Develops trust.
Aggressive
-Less common, comes in the form of challenges and fighting.
-Could win the battle and lose the War.
-Dominant behavior
-Most common is threats (Examples: Yawns, Escalation, and staring).

59
Q

primate ecology;

A

Study of animal’s relationship to environment around them.

60
Q

food types and grouping strategy

A

Large groups that hunt or collect food together, share food.

61
Q

grouping strategy and predation;

A

Large groups that stay together, lower the chances of one individual from being consumed.

62
Q

hierarchies and coalitions;

A

Social Hierarchy - Assignment and distribution of different social status positions in a group.
Coalitions - Group of primates that work together against other members of their social group.

63
Q

social organizations

A

How a society is organized into smaller units

64
Q

solitary

A

Spending most of one’s time alone; refers to a social organization where adult females (and their offspring) occupy separate territories, and an adult male occupies a territory that overlaps with those of several females.

65
Q

polyandrous,

A

A form of social organization where one adult female, multiple, adult males, and their offspring live together.

66
Q

multimale polygynous,

A

A form of social organization where multiple males, multiple adult females, and their offspring live together.

67
Q

monogamous,

A

A form of social organization where one adult male, one adult female, and their offspring live together.

68
Q

single-male polygynous,

A

A form of social organization where one adult male, multiple adult females, and their offspring live together.

69
Q

bachelor groups

A

An all-male social group where multiple adult males live together without females or offspring.

70
Q

sex and reproductive strategies;

A

The optimal reproductive strategy of a hypothetical male primate is characterized by rapid sexual maturation, followed by life-long exclusive access to an unlimited number of fertile females willing to mate, and offspring survival should be independent of paternal care.

Biological Anthropology Exams (2 decks)

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