Exam 2: Human Origins

Genetics explains the way we are and why and how we change.

What is Darwin's theory of evolution, and how does it apply to human evolution? What is natural selection?

To a great extent, the ability of people to live happy and satisfying lives depends on the nature of the society they live in.

Intelligent design is different from scientific creationism in that it does not challenge evolutionary evidence.

The conventional view is that the human species originated in Africa 3 to 5 million years ago.

David Reich's research suggests that the 1.2 percent difference in the genetic structure of humans and chimps is due to:

David Reich suggests that chimps and humanoids interbred for hundreds of thousands of years. This accounts for their genetic structure being almost identical.

The most important physical difference between humans and apes is in the larger size and complexity of the human:

Science has no explanation for existence; evolution is a theory of change, not a theory of existence.

A 2003 fossil find of a modern human in Ethiopia fits recent genetic studies and supports the:

Linnaeus's divisions were determined primarily by physical traits.

The purpose of the genome project is to:

Gorillas, like humans, live on the ground. Chimpanzees spend much of the daytime on the ground. One reason for this descent was their increase in size.

Homo erectus was first discovered in 1891 in Java by:

Our future social evolution will likely be substantially influenced by the information we have about our human evolution.

Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould argue that evolution is characterized by long periods of relative stability that are:

Edward Wilson helped advance the thesis of sociobiology with his work on fear of strangers.

Gene splicing was not important in genetic engineering developments.

What is the difference between the punctuated equilibrium and gradual change theories of evolution?

There is evidence that Neanderthals did all of the following except: