Textbook: Chapter 2, 6 Flashcards
In 1987, which geneticists used mitochondrial DNA studies to challenge the multiple origins theory and support a single origin for modern humans?
A) Milford Wolpoff, Alan Thorne, and Rebecca Cann
B) Rebecca Cann, Mark Stoneking, and Allan Wilson
C) Mark Stoneking, Alan Thorne, and Allan Wilson
D) Rebecca Cann, Allan Wilson, and Milford Wolpoff
B
n genetic literature, who is referred to as “mitochondrial Eve,” and what does this term signify?
A) The first woman to live on Earth, from whom all humans are descended
B) The oldest known human fossil, representing the start of human evolution
C) An early ancestor whose lineage was one of many but is the only one to survive in all modern humans
D) The mother of all early hominids, marking the beginning of the Homo genus
C
What was the effect of the eight glacial-interglacial cycles over the past 740,000 years on Earth’s habitats?
A) They led to stable and unchanging environments.
B) They resulted in the permanent transformation of deserts into forests.
C) They primarily impacted oceanic ecosystems with little effect on land environments.
D) They caused periodic expansions and contractions of microenvironments like tropical forests, savannas, and deserts.
D
How many glacial-interglacial cycles occurred during the past 740,000 years, leading to rapid environmental changes?
A) 5
B) 6
C) 8
D) 10
C
What factors likely drove H. erectus to disperse out of Africa, despite its ancestors remaining there for millions of years?
Extreme climatic changes during the Pleistocene Epoch, 11,600 years ago, created dry and cool periods, depleting resources and pushing H. erectus to seek water and food beyond Africa.
What was the main argument proposed by Richard Wrangham in his 2009 book Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human, and why was it controversial?
A) Cooking food was unnecessary for early human evolution, a claim widely disputed by other anthropologists.
B) Cooking food led to H. erectus developing larger bodies and brains compared to its hominid predecessors, a theory controversial among scientists who believe brain growth was due to other factors.
C) H. erectus primarily relied on raw plant-based foods for survival, challenging traditional beliefs about diet in human evolution.
D) Early humans developed larger
brains due to a high-protein diet from raw meat alone, which many scientists argue lacks sufficient evidence.
D
Although his book offers a compelling and insightful argument for the development of human intelli-gence, for some scientists of human evolution it remains controversial. In summary, Professor Wrangham suggests that cooking food led to H. erec-tus’ bigger bodies and bigger brains - as much as 50 to 80% larger than its hominid predecessors.
Which of the following best describes the health and lifestyle of our Paleolithic ancestors?
A) They had weaker bones and suffered from dental decay due to poor nutrition.
B) They commonly experienced chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity due to high-protein diets.
C) Most people lived into their eighties, with only minor risks from infections or childbirth complications.
D) They had stronger bones, rarely suffered from dental decay, and those who survived into older age were as fit as modern athletes.
D
How did the glacial Pleistocene period facilitate migration from East Africa to Southwest Asia?
During the glacial Pleistocene (1.8 million to 11,600 years ago), a land bridge across the southern end of the Red Sea connected East Africa to Saudi Arabia, enabling early human migration into Southwest Asia.
Fill-in-the-Blank:
The end of the __________ Revolution coincided with the end of the __________ Epoch.
The end of the Broad Spectrum Revolution coincided with the end of the Pleistocene Epoch.
What was a significant change in human behavior during the early stages of the Broad Spectrum Revolution?
A) Humans adopted a more sophisticated foraging strategy, expanding their range and increasing the variety of food sources to support a growing population.
B) Humans developed permanent agricultural settlements and began domesticating animals.
C) Humans began relying solely on large game animals, abandoning smaller, diverse food sources.
D) Humans started focusing on fishing and marine resources as their primary food source.
A
