Weeks 13-14 Flashcards
What are “anatomically modern” Homo sapiens (AMH)?
Physically modern but not behaviorally modern
What major characteristics distinguish AMH from archaic humans? (8)
- High, rounded cranium with the widest point on the sides of the parietals above the midpoint of the skull;
- Tall, almost vertical frontal bone;
- Small to minimal supraorbital tori;
- Highly flexed cranial base;
- Face largely pulled in under the cranium;
- Distinct canine fossa;
- No retromolar gap;
- Protruding chin
When and where were the earliest AMH fossils found?
Ethiopia in Eastern Africa- 160,000 to 254,000 years old
How do these genetic patterns (genetic diversity in Africa) relate to our evolutionary history?
Most genetic variation found in people living outside Africa is a subset of that found among Africans, and more variety remains with Africa even today
Which force of evolution seems to have been most important in shaping this global pattern in human genetic diversity?
Gene flow- time allowed the African population to accumulate more of the small mutations, then part of the African population migrated beyond Africa to start colonizing the world, so part of Africa’s genetic variation moved with them
Why are mtDNA and Y-chromosome DNA interesting for looking at the history of mixing and moving among human populations?
New mutations arose on those molecules as human populations expanded, so maps of the migration patterns were being developed based on this information; mtDNA shows DNA of matrilineal descent while Y-chromosome DNA shows DNA of patrilineal descent
How do mtDNA and Y-chromosome DNA differ from nuclear DNA?
Nuclear DNA shows the information inherited from both parents, which would explain what genotypes and phenotypes the person has
Is there any evidence that people in different regions had contact with one another before the current global age of ocean-going vessels (hundreds of years) or common airplane travel (decades)? (3 examples)
Yes
- Objects found at the Middle Mississippian site of Dickson Mounds, IL (a poor hamlet inhabited a thousand years ago) can be traced to the corners of North America
- An ear ornament made of seashell from the Gulf Coast was found in Wisconsin
- Jade ornaments are found throughout Central America and as far east as the West Indies but the only known source of jade are in mines in Guatemala
What does it mean to say that humans are still evolving?
Evolution has no goal so it will not stop as long as interactions with the environments and with the social context in which they live continue to change
Definition of sociobiology?
Behavior shaped by natural selection
Why do most anthropologists see problems with some assumptions of sociobiology?
It reduces complex social phenomenon to a simple “trait” ex) hunting, tool use, sexual differences in behavior
Definition of evolutionary psychology?
To understand the evolution of the psychological mechanisms that have resulted in human behavior throughout history
Definition of biocultural approach?
Understanding the relationship of biology with culture, primarily in the evaluation of health disparities within and between populations ex) sickle-cell/malaria relationship
Which of the 5 socioecological pressures are likely to be the most important for understanding current patterns of natural selection acting on human populations?
Habitat- depending on where one lives they have different access to healthcare. Global disparities in health infrastructure and access to health care, combined with economic and social variables, mean that HIV has different effects in different populations. ex) in Africa, HIV/AIDS is a deadly disease
