Exam 19: Population Genetics and Human Evolution

Godfrey Hardy and Wilhelm Weinberg mathematically proved that as time goes by in a non-evolving population

To trace the migration of human populations across the globe, geneticists and anthropologists often make use of genetic markers. What criteria should be used in selecting such markers? What are some of the problems that might be encountered in such genetic studies?

In studying evolutionary relationships using molecular techniques, which is more informative: allele frequencies for proteins such as blood groups, or DNA sequence analysis? Why?

The idea that H. erectus populations in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia all collectively interbred and evolved into H. sapiens is called the ____________________ hypothesis.

Albinism is a recessive trait controlled by a single gene. If the frequency of albinos in a population is 0.25, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes for this trait? (Hint: use the Hardy-Weinberg formula)

Of the following hominin species, which appears first in the fossil record?

There is significantly more genetic variation between human populations than within them.

Outline the assumptions made in establishing the Hardy-Weinberg law.

In discussing customs and laws affecting marriages between relatives, it is often said that consanguineous matings lead to an increase in the frequency of deleterious alleles in the population. Is this true? Why or why not?

Assume brown eyes is completely dominant to blue eyes and this trait is controlled by a single gene. If 400 people in a population of 10,000 have blue eyes, how many people would be expected to be heterozygous for this trait? (Hint: use the Hardy-Weinberg formula)

Describe five things that can cause a change in the allele frequencies in a population.

Which of the following is an incorrect assumption of the Hardy-Weinberg law?

Compare and contrast the out-of-Africa model and multiregional theories of the origin of modern man. Which theory is supported by the preponderance of genetic evidence? What type of evidence supports the other theory?

The taxonomic category that includes species of apes, humans, and their ancestors is the ___________.

Most geneticists would agree that human races are distinct genetic entities.

When applying the Hardy-Weinberg law to a gene with dominant and recessive alleles, calculation of the allele frequencies always begins by writing the frequency of the ____________________ phenotype, then taking the ____________________ of that to obtain the frequency of the recessive allele.

The out-of-Africa model states that Homo sapiens arose from a single population in Africa about ____________________ years ago.

The relatively high percentage of individuals in West Africa who are heterozygous for the sickle cell trait is an example of _______________.

The phenotypic differences between chimps and humans is best explained by ______________.

The taxonomic category that includes all bipedal primates is the ______________.