EvolutionLesson 4 of 4 in the course The Genus Homo and the Emergence of Us

Genetic, Evolutionary, and Environmental Evidence for Human History

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 4 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

The Human Genome Project began in 1990 and concluded in 2003. This international effort sequenced about 99 percent of the human genome with an accuracy of 99.99 percent. Genome research gives anthropologists another way to investigate the relationships and histories of human populations, alongside evidence from fossils and archaeology.

Genetic evidence has largely supported the Out of Africa model. This model proposes that early modern humans originated in Africa and that populations migrated from Africa to other parts of the world. The unit describes migrations beginning around 100,000 years ago and traces human ancestry to an African population roughly 200,000 years ago. As humans entered regions such as Europe, they encountered other hominin groups, including Neanderthals, and interbred with them.

All flashcards

Out of Africa model
The model that modern humans originated in Africa and later migrated to other regions.
Mitochondrial Eve
The most recent woman from whom all living humans inherit mitochondrial lineages through an unbroken maternal line.
Evolutionary mismatch
A proposed difference between environments to which traits evolved and conditions encountered more recently.
Human–louse coevolution
The ways changes in human and louse lineages relate to one another over time.
Mosaic of traits
A combination of features in a fossil that may not fit one simple category.

Quiz questions

  1. What was a major accomplishment of the Human Genome Project?Answer: It sequenced about 99 percent of the human genome with 99.99 percent accuracy.
  2. Why is mitochondrial DNA useful for tracing maternal ancestry?Answer: It is generally maternally inherited and does not recombine, making maternal lineages easier to trace.
  3. Where do human body lice live and lay their eggs?Answer: They live in clothing and lay eggs on fabric fibers.
  4. Which response to high altitude is described for Tibetans?Answer: They compensate in part by taking more breaths per minute.
  5. How should researchers assess a hominin fossil that combines traits associated with different forms?Answer: Compare its overall pattern of traits and consider multiple lines of evidence.

Based on Introduction to Anthropology by Jennifer Hasty, David G. Lewis, Marjorie M. Snipes (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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