Question 1

In the eighteenth century, a Swedish naturalist devised a system of biological classification known as ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the eighteenth century, a Swedish naturalist...

Question 2

Examine the skulls shown in this figure. What can be said regarding trends in braincase size and teeth over time?

Accepted Answer

A) More recent hominin fossils have larger braincases and generally smaller, more humanlike teeth. 
B) Older hominin fossils have larger braincases and generally smaller, more humanlike teeth. 
C) More recent hominin fossils have smaller braincases and generally larger, more apelike teeth. 
D) There is no apparent change in braincase size or size and structure of the teeth in hominins. 
A) More recent hominin fossils have larger braincases and generally smaller, more humanlike teeth. 
B) Older hominin fossils have larger braincases and generally smaller, more humanlike teeth. 
C) More recent hominin fossils have smaller braincases and generally larger, more apelike teeth. 
D) There is no apparent change in braincase size or size and structure of the teeth in hominins.

Question 3

What evidence would support the hypothesis that Neanderthals evolved sometime after hominins migrated out of Africa?

Accepted Answer

A) The presence of Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of modern humans in all ethnic groups except for those of Africans would support this hypothesis. 
B) The presence of Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of modern African humans would support this hypothesis. 
C) The presence of Neanderthal DNA in the mitochondria of modern African humans would support this hypothesis. 
D) The presence of Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of Australopithecus africanus would support this hypothesis. 
A) The presence of Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of modern humans in all ethnic groups except for those of Africans would support this hypothesis. 
B) The presence of Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of modern African humans would support this hypothesis. 
C) The presence of Neanderthal DNA in the mitochondria of modern African humans would support this hypothesis. 
D) The presence of Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of Australopithecus africanus would support this hypothesis.

Question 4

What does the positioning of the toe indicated by the arrow in this figure suggest about the owner of this fossil hominid foot?

Accepted Answer

A) This hominid most likely always traveled on four feet. 
B) This hominid most likely spent all of its time swinging in the trees. 
C) This hominid traveled mostly on four feet but also spent a great deal of time swinging in the trees. 
D) This hominid probably walked upright on two feet and may have spent time in trees. 
A) This hominid most likely always traveled on four feet. 
B) This hominid most likely spent all of its time swinging in the trees. 
C) This hominid traveled mostly on four feet but also spent a great deal of time swinging in the trees. 
D) This hominid probably walked upright on two feet and may have spent time in trees.

Question 5

Match the following levels of human classification with the appropriate levels of the Linnaean hierarchy.
-Class

Accepted Answer

A) Homo 
B) Primates 
C) Chordata 
D) Homo sapiens 
E) Mammalia
F)Animalia
G)Hominidae 
A) Homo 
B) Primates 
C) Chordata 
D) Homo sapiens 
E) Mammalia
F)Animalia
G)Hominidae

Question 6

What evidence would support the hypothesis that a male Homo sapiens mated with a female Homo neanderthalensis and produced offspring?

Accepted Answer

Analyzing DNA from fossilized bones that

Question 7

Which of the following could NOT be used to describe humans?

Accepted Answer

A) eutherian 
B) mammal 
C) primate 
D) marsupial 
A) eutherian 
B) mammal 
C) primate 
D) marsupial

Question 8

Fossilized foot bones show that some hominids living between 3 and 3.5 mya walked upright but had partially opposable big toes. This suggests that

Accepted Answer

A) the shift to bipedalism was not sudden and complete, and the earliest bipedal hominins may have also spent some time in the trees for shelter or to find food. 
B) the shift from quadrupedalism to bipedalism happened abruptly about 2.5 mya when hominins could no longer find any food in trees. 
C) hominins actually shifted from bipedalism to quadrupedalism as it proved to be an advantage when acquiring food. 
D) having a partially opposable big toe helped bipedal hominins run faster to avoid their predators. 
A) the shift to bipedalism was not sudden and complete, and the earliest bipedal hominins may have also spent some time in the trees for shelter or to find food. 
B) the shift from quadrupedalism to bipedalism happened abruptly about 2.5 mya when hominins could no longer find any food in trees. 
C) hominins actually shifted from bipedalism to quadrupedalism as it proved to be an advantage when acquiring food. 
D) having a partially opposable big toe helped bipedal hominins run faster to avoid their predators.

Question 9

List in order from most exclusive to most inclusive the seven levels of the Linnaean hierarchy of biological classification.

Accepted Answer

Species, Genus, Fami

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the source of your mitochondrial DNA?

Accepted Answer

A) All of my mitochondrial DNA was inherited from my mother. 
B) All of my mitochondrial DNA was inherited from my father. 
C) Half of my mitochondrial DNA was inherited from my mother and half from my father. 
D) Seventy-five percent of my mitochondrial DNA was inherited from my mother and 25 percent was inherited from my father. 
A) All of my mitochondrial DNA was inherited from my mother. 
B) All of my mitochondrial DNA was inherited from my father. 
C) Half of my mitochondrial DNA was inherited from my mother and half from my father. 
D) Seventy-five percent of my mitochondrial DNA was inherited from my mother and 25 percent was inherited from my father.

Question 11

Consider that fossils of Homo erectus dating between 1.66 to 1.85 mya have been found scattered across Eastern Europe through China and Southeast Asia and dating back to 2.4 mya in Africa. The earliest known specimens of anatomically modern Homo sapiens in Africa date back to roughly 200,000 years ago and 40,000 to 60,000 years ago across Europe and Asia with some at 115,000 years ago in India. Additionally, Homo neanderthalensis was present across Europe by 150,000 years ago and then spread into western Asia. What does this suggest about the "out-of-Africa" hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A) This suggests that hominins migrated north from Africa spreading out across Europe and Asia at least twice. 
B) This suggests that hominins migrated north from Africa spreading out across Europe and Asia three times. 
C) This suggests that there was only one major migration of hominins out of Africa. 
D) This suggests that there must have been at least seven major migrations of hominins out of Africa. 
A) This suggests that hominins migrated north from Africa spreading out across Europe and Asia at least twice. 
B) This suggests that hominins migrated north from Africa spreading out across Europe and Asia three times. 
C) This suggests that there was only one major migration of hominins out of Africa. 
D) This suggests that there must have been at least seven major migrations of hominins out of Africa.

Question 12

Briefly explain the difference between hominids and hominins.

Accepted Answer

All members of the ape family

Question 13

Which of the following categories of the Linnaean hierarchy would include the most closely related organisms?

Accepted Answer

A) order 
B) genus 
C) class 
D) family 
A) order 
B) genus 
C) class 
D) family

Question 14

Which of the following adaptations was NOT required to facilitate the evolution of animal life on land?

Accepted Answer

A) water-conserving excretory system 
B) amniotic egg 
C) skin covered with waterproof scales 
D) a fully cartilaginous skeleton 
A) water-conserving excretory system 
B) amniotic egg 
C) skin covered with waterproof scales 
D) a fully cartilaginous skeleton

Question 15

The infamous American outlaw, Jesse Woodson James, died April 3, 1882. His body was originally interred on the James' farm but was later moved to Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kearney, Nebraska. Some people have hypothesized that his death was staged. Researchers have exhumed the body and analyzed mitochondrial DNA found in the teeth with that of mitochondrial DNA from hair samples from the James' farm burial site; they matched. These samples were then compared to the mitochondrial DNA of Jesse's sister Susan's great-grandson and her great-great-grandson. Which of the following would support the hypothesis that the body buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery is NOT Jesse James?

Accepted Answer

A) The mitochondrial DNA from the grave matches the mitochondrial DNA obtained from Susan's great-grandson and great-great-grandson. 
B) The mitochondrial DNA from the grave does not match the mitochondrial DNA obtained from Susan's great-grandson and great-great-grandson. 
C) The mitochondrial DNA from the grave matches Susan's mitochondrial DNA. 
D) The mitochondrial DNA from the grave matches not only the mitochondrial DNA obtained from Susan's great-grandson and her great-great-grandson, but it also matches mitochondrial DNA from Susan's daughter. 
A) The mitochondrial DNA from the grave matches the mitochondrial DNA obtained from Susan's great-grandson and great-great-grandson. 
B) The mitochondrial DNA from the grave does not match the mitochondrial DNA obtained from Susan's great-grandson and great-great-grandson. 
C) The mitochondrial DNA from the grave matches Susan's mitochondrial DNA. 
D) The mitochondrial DNA from the grave matches not only the mitochondrial DNA obtained from Susan's great-grandson and her great-great-grandson, but it also matches mitochondrial DNA from Susan's daughter.

Question 16

Match the following levels of human classification with the appropriate levels of the Linnaean hierarchy.
-Phylum

Accepted Answer

A) Homo 
B) Primates 
C) Chordata 
D) Homo sapiens 
E) Mammalia
F)Animalia
G)Hominidae 
A) Homo 
B) Primates 
C) Chordata 
D) Homo sapiens 
E) Mammalia
F)Animalia
G)Hominidae

Question 17

You are on an archaeological dig in Africa when you find a collection of stone tools along with several skeletons in a cave. These bipedal skeletons date to about 3.5 million years ago and show no evidence of a partially opposable toe. Measurements indicate the brains would have been a little less than a third of the volume of modern humans. The teeth found on these skeletons look more like those of an ape than those of a human. Your skeletal discovery is most likely which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) Sahelanthropus tchadensis 
B) Ardipithecus ramidus 
C) Homo erectus 
D) Australopithecus afarensis 
A) Sahelanthropus tchadensis 
B) Ardipithecus ramidus 
C) Homo erectus 
D) Australopithecus afarensis

Question 18

Consider that fossils of Homo erectus dating between 1.66 to 1.85 mya have been found scattered across Eastern Europe through China and Southeast Asia and dating back to 2.4 mya in Africa. The earliest known specimens of anatomically modern Homo sapiens in Africa date back to roughly 200,000 years ago and 40,000 to 60,000 years ago across Europe and Asia with some at 115,000 years ago in India. Additionally, Homo neanderthalensis was present across Europe by 150,000 years ago and then spread into western Asia. If there were no evidence indicating the presence of any other early Homo species in Europe, which of the following hypotheses might be supported by this information?

Accepted Answer

A) Homo erectus is a possible common ancestor to Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens. 
B) Homo neanderthalensis is a possible common ancestor to Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. 
C) Homo sapiens is a possible common ancestor to Homo erectus and Homo neanderthalensis. 
D) Homo floresiensis is the most likely common ancestor to Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, and Homo sapiens. 
A) Homo erectus is a possible common ancestor to Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens. 
B) Homo neanderthalensis is a possible common ancestor to Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. 
C) Homo sapiens is a possible common ancestor to Homo erectus and Homo neanderthalensis. 
D) Homo floresiensis is the most likely common ancestor to Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, and Homo sapiens.

Question 19

Eggs provide

Accepted Answer

A) both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA to the offspring cell. 
B) only nuclear DNA to the offspring cell. 
C) only mitochondrial DNA to the offspring cell. 
D) no DNA to the offspring cell. 
A) both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA to the offspring cell. 
B) only nuclear DNA to the offspring cell. 
C) only mitochondrial DNA to the offspring cell. 
D) no DNA to the offspring cell.

Question 20

According to this evolutionary tree, when did hominins branch away from the other apes?

Accepted Answer

A) 35 mya 
B) 12-16 mya 
C) 7-8 mya 
D) 5-7 mya 
A) 35 mya 
B) 12-16 mya 
C) 7-8 mya 
D) 5-7 mya

In the eighteenth century, a Swedish naturalist devised a system of biological classification known as ________.

Examine the skulls shown in this figure. What can be said regarding trends in braincase size and teeth over time?

What evidence would support the hypothesis that Neanderthals evolved sometime after hominins migrated out of Africa?

What does the positioning of the toe indicated by the arrow in this figure suggest about the owner of this fossil hominid foot?

Match the following levels of human classification with the appropriate levels of the Linnaean hierarchy. -Class

What evidence would support the hypothesis that a male Homo sapiens mated with a female Homo neanderthalensis and produced offspring?

Which of the following could NOT be used to describe humans?

Fossilized foot bones show that some hominids living between 3 and 3.5 mya walked upright but had partially opposable big toes. This suggests that

List in order from most exclusive to most inclusive the seven levels of the Linnaean hierarchy of biological classification.

Which of the following best describes the source of your mitochondrial DNA?

Briefly explain the difference between hominids and hominins.

Which of the following categories of the Linnaean hierarchy would include the most closely related organisms?

Which of the following adaptations was NOT required to facilitate the evolution of animal life on land?

Match the following levels of human classification with the appropriate levels of the Linnaean hierarchy. -Phylum

Eggs provide

According to this evolutionary tree, when did hominins branch away from the other apes?

The Nature of Science

Chemistry of Life

Life Is Cellular

How Cells Work

Cell Division

Patterns of Inheritance

Chromosomes and Human Genetics

What Genes Are

How Genes Work

Evidence for Evolution

Mechanisms of Evolution

Adaptation and Species

The History of Life

General Principles of Ecology

Growth of Populations

Communities of Organisms

Ecosystems

Homeostasis, Reproduction, and Development

Digestive, Muscular, and Skeletal Systems

Circulatory, Respiratory, Urinary, and Nervous Systems

Endocrine and Immune Systems

Plant Physiology

Applying the Science

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Exam 14: Human Evolution

In the eighteenth century, a Swedish naturalist devised a system of biological classification known as ________.

Examine the skulls shown in this figure. What can be said regarding trends in braincase size and teeth over time?

What evidence would support the hypothesis that Neanderthals evolved sometime after hominins migrated out of Africa?

What does the positioning of the toe indicated by the arrow in this figure suggest about the owner of this fossil hominid foot?

Match the following levels of human classification with the appropriate levels of the Linnaean hierarchy. -Class

What evidence would support the hypothesis that a male Homo sapiens mated with a female Homo neanderthalensis and produced offspring?

Which of the following could NOT be used to describe humans?

Fossilized foot bones show that some hominids living between 3 and 3.5 mya walked upright but had partially opposable big toes. This suggests that

List in order from most exclusive to most inclusive the seven levels of the Linnaean hierarchy of biological classification.

Which of the following best describes the source of your mitochondrial DNA?

Briefly explain the difference between hominids and hominins.

Which of the following categories of the Linnaean hierarchy would include the most closely related organisms?

Which of the following adaptations was NOT required to facilitate the evolution of animal life on land?

Match the following levels of human classification with the appropriate levels of the Linnaean hierarchy. -Phylum

Eggs provide

According to this evolutionary tree, when did hominins branch away from the other apes?

The Nature of Science

Chemistry of Life

Life Is Cellular

How Cells Work

Cell Division

Patterns of Inheritance

Chromosomes and Human Genetics

What Genes Are

How Genes Work

Evidence for Evolution

Mechanisms of Evolution

Adaptation and Species

The History of Life

General Principles of Ecology

Growth of Populations

Communities of Organisms

Ecosystems

Homeostasis, Reproduction, and Development

Digestive, Muscular, and Skeletal Systems

Circulatory, Respiratory, Urinary, and Nervous Systems

Endocrine and Immune Systems

Plant Physiology

Applying the Science

Filters