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Chapter 1
1) Define Anthropology and list its major subfields.
Anthropology is the study of human diversity. The four major sub fields include archaeology and
cultural, biological and linguistic anthropology. All of this information can be found on pages
6,7,and 8 of the textbook. –Doug Basso
2) How does physical anthropology differ from other disciplines interested in human
biology?
Physical anthropology differs from other disciplines in human biology because physical
anthropology has more of a holistic view. They look at both biological make-up as well as the
culture of people. While human biology tends to focus more on the study of skeletal material
and genetic make-up. pages 8-14 Dalmy Bolivar
3) Discuss the importance of the biocultural approach to the study of human evolution.
Mike D'Alexander
4) What are some of the primary areas of research within physical anthropology? Give 2
or three examples of the types of research pursued by physical anthropology.
Primary areas of research within physical anthropology include: paleoanthropology,
anthropometry, primatology, osteology, paleopathology, and forensic anthropology. Osteology is
the study of skeletal material. Paleoanthropology is studying older hominids, trying to figure out
how those in the past lived, adapted and behaved. Anthropometry is the measurement of human
body parts, as we talked about in class today, to discover the range. Primatology is the study of
non-human primates; prosimians, monkeys and apes. Paleopathology is is a subfield of
osteology, studying skeletal material looking for signs of disease or injury. Forensic
Anthropology is applied anthropology- dealing with coroners, legal matters...ID and analysis of
human remains. pages 8-12 – Sandy Dylka
5 ) What is meant by the term hominid?
A “hominid” is a member of the superfamily hominoidea and the family hominidae. Whereas
superfamily hominoidea includes apes and humans, family hominidae contains only humans and
their ancestors that decended from the common ancestor we share with the living apeas and their
ancestors. The major distinction between hominids and hominoids is in their locomotor patternshominids walk bipedally, apes do not. Essentially, a hominid is simply a bipedal ape. –Marc
Healy page 2 (although I’ve added some extra information found in other chapters)
6) What fields, in addition to physical anthropology, contribute to paleoanthropology?
Anthropometry, primate paleontology, osteology, paleopathology and forensic anthropology all
contribute to paleoanthropology. PALEOANTHROPOLOGY: the study of human evolution,
particularly as evidenced in the fossil record. Anthropometry is the study of skeletal remains
from archaeological sites or the basic designs of everything (ex. From airplane cockpits to office
furniture). Primate paleontology deals with primate fossil records for nonhuman primates and
hominids. Osteology is the study of the skeleton and is one of the main criteria when talking
about biological anthropology because most people think of bones when asked their opinion).
Paleopathology is a subfield osteology and it deals mostly with investigating any trauma,
disease, nutritional deficiencies, or other conditions that might have left evidence in bones.
Forensic anthropology is also directly related to osteology but these people are called in to
identify skeletal remains in cases of disaster or in situations were a body has been found (pp. 912). -Melissa Lloyd
7) What are the hallmarks of the scientific method, and what makes a theory scientific?
Part 'A':The steps of the scientific method are as follows: 1. Identify what you want to find out.
2. collect data. Do studies, run tests, ect. 3. Based on the data you collect, form a hypothesis,
or a rough explaination of what you've discovered. 4. Test your hypothesis over and overscientific testing is the repetition, to make sure no mistakes were made, that everything was done
correctly and if the same outcome arises each time, then it is accepted as a (5.) theory - an idea
that hasnt been proven wrong and withstands the tests of time. Part 'B': A theory is scientific
because the hypothesis is tested using the scientific method, and the results are either rejected, or
not rejected being a theory. Page 15- Sandy Dylka
Chapter 2
1) Trace the intellectual thought immediately leading to Darwin’s theory.
First it was thought that every thing that had been on earth was always
on earth and it never changed, this caused the Great Chain of Being to be made. Then the
discovery of the new world led to people thinking that new kinds of animals
existed because they saw lots of new variations and even unkown animals. John Ray came up
with the concept of species and genus to help people understand these new animals. Carolus
Linnaeus came up with classification and taxonomy. Comte de Buffon said species adapt to their
environments. Erasmus Darwin said that species could evolve but he didn’t know how. John
Baptiste Lamark said that species evolve through acquired characteristics for example, if the dad
had big legs so would the child. George Cuvier said that species could become extinct and came
up with catastrophism. Thomas Malthus wrote about the relationship between food and
population. He said that a species grow twice as fast as food c! an causing competition. Mary
Anning was one of the earliest paleontologists, she discovered the Pterodactyl. Charles Darwin
came up with the idea of genetic variation when he went to the Galapagos Islands and saw all the
different forms of lizards and birds. He said that that natural selection is when the good traits of
an animal gets passed on to the next generation. (pp. 26-35) -Michael Nelson
2) How does Lamark's theory differ from Darwin and Wallace’s? What main feature do
they have in common?
Lamark's theory differed from Darwin and Wallace's in that inheritance of aquired characteristics
assumes that a trait acquired by an animal during it's lifetime can be passed on to it's offspring.
The theories of Darwin and Wallace, while similar in the attribution of change to organisms
interaction with their environment, also considered these changes over great periods of time and
not from one generation to the next (ex; giraffe) but through the process of natural selection.
Christ Peterson Pages 27,28,31
3) What was John Ray’s major contribution to biology and the development of
evolutionary theories?
John Ray was the first to see that a groups of plants and animals could
be distinguished by their sexual compatability and ability to produce viable
offspring, plus that certain groups were more alike to other specific
groups. He also coined the terms species and genus. p. 26 Mitch Roth
4) In what ways did Linnaeus and Buffon differ in their approach to the concept of
evolution?
The differences between Linneaus and Buffon's approach to the concept evolution was that
Linneaus created a four-level system which later became the basis for taxonomy and Buffon
believed that organisms that migrated would gradually change and adapt to their new
environment. Also, Linnaeus believed in fixity of species but then began to question it after years
of finding evidence that opposed it. However, Buffon denied the idea that one species could give
rise to another. pgs. 26-27. Emely Sisomboune
5) What are the bases of Lamarck’s theory of acquired characteristics? Why is this theory
incorrect?
Lamarcks theory states that organisms were tied to their environment, and when the environment
changed the animals activity's would change in order to cope with the environment; thus altering
the use of certain body parts. This would then lead to the animal to modify his body to fit the
needs of the environment and would be passed from offspring to offspring. Lamarcks theory is
inccorect because organisms can only transfer genetic information through sex cells, not physical
properties. Zach Teschner bp. 27-28
6) What is Lamarck's positive contribution to nineteenth-century evolutionary ideas?
Lamarck's positive contribution to nineteenth-century evolutionary ideas was his theory of the
inheritance of acquired characteristics. Pg. 28 -Cecilia Vargas
7) Explain Cuvier's notion of Catastrophism.
Culvier introduced the concept of extinction and the theory of Catastrophisim is the veiw that the
earths geological landscapes are the result of violent catastrophy events. This theory also
destroyed the notion of "fixity of species". -Ashley Whitmarsh
8) What did Malthus and Lyell contribute to Darwin's thinking of evolution?
Brandon Yanke
9) Darwin approached the subject of species change by emphasizing individuals within
populations. Why was this significant to the development of the concept of natural
selection?
Doug Basso
10) What evidence did Darwin use to strengthen his argument concerning evolution?
Darwin used the information he found by traveling on the Beagle to the Galapagos Islands to
strengthen his argument concerning evolution. He found that geographical isolation can lead to
the formation of new species. The animals have to respond to selective pressures forcing them to
adapt to their changing environment around them.
page 31-33 Dalmy Bolivar
11) What is meant by adaptation? Illustrate through the example of industrial melanism.
Adaptation is how organisms react to their changing environment. An example of adaptation is
of the peppered moths. The most common variety was grey. Another variety was darker. They
would both rest on lichen covered tree branches that were grey. Naturally, the grey moths were
camouflaged by the color of the tree, where as the darker moths stuck out like a sore thumb.
Consequently the darker moth was preyed upon more. This causes their population to decrease,
and less are able to reproduce while the grey moth is reproducing in regular amounts. Over time
air pollution caused the color of the trees to be in favor of the darker moths. So the situation of
these moths were reversed. Darker peppered moth population began to increase as the grey
moth's decreased. Melanin is a pigment that creates color, so this shift of moths is called
industrial melanism. page 35-36 Sandra Dylka
12) Define Natural Selection. What is a selective agent? Give an example.
Jenn Hazeltine
13) Explain why the changes in coloration in populations of peppered moths and in some
bird species serve as good examples of natural selection.
Because the peppered moths use natural selection they are able to adapt to selective agents that
may influence them. For instance, if the light colored moth was attacked more often by selective
agents (or birds) their population would decrease, while the population of the darker colored
moth would increase.(pg. 36) Natural selection for some birds has created slight changes in their
beak sizes in order to compensate for the more abundant sizes of seeds. The larger the seed is
that is most common in a general area the thicker and larger the beaks of the birds will be. If the
seed size decreases the birds beak will become smaller.(pg. 36-37) -melissa lloyd
14) Explain why some people object to the teaching of evolutionary principles.
Reason why most people object is because the principles goes against their religion and excludes
all their beliefs. It is also sometimes too complex for people to understand evolution and don't
believe in it. Pg. (40-41) Mike D'Alexander
Chapter 3
1) Genetics is the study of what?
Joe Ernster
2) What are the components of a Eukaryotic cell, as described in this chapter, and what
are their functions?
Jenn Hazeltine
3) What are the two basic types of cells found in individuals? Give an example of each.
The two basic types of cells found in individuals are: prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic cells are single celled organisms such as bacteria and blue green algae.
Eukaryotic cells are multicellular organisms that are structurally complex these cells are found in
human beings.(pg.46-47) –Melissa Lloyd
4) What are nucleotides?
DNA is made of two chains of molecules called nucleotides. A nucleotide is made of three
components: a sugar molecule, a phosphate unit, and one of four nitrogen bases. Nucleotides
stack on one another to form a chain bonded along its base to another complementary nucleotide
chain. The two form a spiral shape. It's described as a double helix and looks like a ladder. The
sugar and phosphate represent the two sides while the bases and the bonds that connect them
form the rungs. (pg:47)- Michael Nelson
5) Name the four DNA bases. Which pairs with which?
The four DNA bases are adenine (A), guanine (G), Thymine (T), and cytosine.
In the formation of the double-helix, one type of base can only pair with one other kind of base.
Base pairs can only form between adenine and thymine, and between guanine and cytosine. This
specificity is essential in the DNA molecules ability to replicate. p 48 Christ Pederson
6) What is DNA Replication, and why is it important?
DNA replication is involved with the division of a cell, specifically when the DNA strand is split
into two strands of nucleotides. Eventually, new, complementary nucleotide strands will be
formed, creating two exact copies of the first. (p. 48) Mitch Roth
7) What are proteins? Give two examples.
Proteins are complex, three-dimensional molecules that function through their ability to bind to
other molecules. Two examples would be hemoglobin and collagen. pp. 47-49 -Emely
Sisomboune
8) What are enzymes?
Enzymes are specialized proteins that initiate chemical reactions in the body. Enzymes have an
important role in DNA replication because they break bonds at numerous locations in the
molecule to allow the nucleotides to replicate. pg.48-49 Zach Teschner
9) What are the building blocks of proteins? How many of them are there?
The building blocks of proteins are amino acids. There are 20 of them but only 8 of them are
essential in our diet because our bodies can’t produce them. (P.49)-Cecilia Vargas
10) W hat is the function of DNA in protein synthesis?
Doug Basso
11) What is the function of mRNA?
The function of the messenger RNA (mRNA) is that it carries the DNA code to the ribosome
during protein synthesis. pg. 52-53 Dalmy Bolivar
12) What is the function of tRNA?
Transfer RNA, or tRNA, binds to one amino acid. It takes this amino acid to the ribosome
where the amino acid connects to it's specific amino acid of an mRNA molecule. (Because
certain amino acids can only bind to other specific amino acids). With the molecules being
connected, it is the beginning of the formation of a protein. Sandy Dylka page 53
13) Does the entire DNA molecule code for the manufacture of proteins? Explain.
Jenn Hazeltine
14) Does all of the DNA in a gene code for the production of a protein? Explain.
All of the DNA in a gene does code to form for the production of a protein. To be more precise
though, the DNA of a single gene forms a single polypeptide chain which in turn is considered a
protein. There are other polypeptide chains or proteins that may form that use more than one
single gene strand. But it is the same concept just with two or more different genes. (pg.53)-
Melissa Lloyd [There are regulatory genes that don’t code for the production of a protein but
turn other genes on and off. – Marc Healy]
15) What is the role of regulatory genes? Give an example.
Matt Michael
16) What is the relationship between genes, alleles, loci and chromosomes?
Matt Michael
17) What are homologous chromosomes?
Homologuous chromosomes are chromosomes that govern the same traits. They are very similar
in size and position of the centromere bonding them but they are not identical. (pg: 59) -Michael
Nelson
18) Why is reduction division important?
Christ Pederson
19) What is recombination, and why is it important? When does it occur?
Recombination is when a member of a pair of chromosomes crosses over to another homologous
pair during the first meiotic division, and its importance is in increasing genetic diversity. p.64
Mitch Roth
20) Why is the genetic code said to be universal? Why is it said to be redundant?
The genetic code is said to be universal because all living things contain DNA. The genetic code
is said to be redundant because there are 20 amino acids, 4 DNA bases, and 64 possible mRNA
codons. If one of the codes was ever mutated, it would change to another possible code making it
less likely for severe consequences to occur. (Pg.52) -Emely Sisomboune
21) Why is meiosis important to the process of natural selection?
Meiosis occurs in all sexually reproducing organisms, and is very important evolutionary feature
because it enhances genetic variation. Offspring from two parents can create numerous genetic
combinations; somewhere along the lines of 70 trillion. Sexual reproduction has a much bigger
impact on natural selection than mutation does because recombination produces new
arrangements of genetic information, which provides material for natural selection to act on.
PG 65. Zach Teschner
Chapter 4
1) What is Mendel’s principle of segregation, and how does meiosis explain it?
1) Mendel's principle of segregation is also known as Mendel's first principle of inheritance
which is when genes occurring in pairs, just like chromosomes do, during the gamete production
members of each gene pair get separated so that each gamete has a member of each pair. During
fertilization the full number of chromosomes is restored and members of gene or allele pairs are
reunited and just like in meiosis paired chromosomes and the genes they carry separate from
each other and are distributed to different gametes. (pg. 77)- Cecilia Vargas
2) What is Mendel’s principle of independent assortment? Why is it significant?
Mendel's principle of independent assortment is the distribution of one pair of alleles into
gametes does not influence the distribution of another pair. The genes controlling different traits
are inherited independenly of one another p.79 Ashley Whitmarsh
3) Explain dominance and recessiveness and give examples.
4) What is a phenotype, and what is its relationship with a genotype?
Phenotypes are the observable or detectable physical characteristics of an organism; the
detectable expressions of genotypes. pages 78 and 79 -Doug Basso
5) What is codominance? Give an example.
A codominance is the expression of two alleles in heterzygotes. In this situation, neither allele is
dominant or recessive; thus, both influence the phenotype. An example would be type AB
blood, both A and B alleles are present so both A and B antigens can be detected on the surface
of red blood. P. 82 Dalmy Bolivar
6) Why are X-linked recessive traits more common in males than in females?
7) What is Pleiotropy? Give an example.
Pleiotropy is when one gene effects more than one phenotypic expression. They are usually
genes that we dont think of, like ones that create different essential chemical reactions in the
body. An example the disorder phenylketonuria. People with this disorder are unable to create
phenylketonurase which the body uses to convert phenylketonuria into tyrosine. Since it cannot
be broken down, it sort of wastes itself away and collects in the central nervous system, leading
to mental disorder.
page 91 Sandy Dylka
8) What is genetic drift? Give an example in human populations.
9) What role does variation play in the evolutionary process? Where does variation come
from?
Variation leads to genetic diversity. This lets species survive a wide variety of situations: such as
droughts, famine, and disease. Through these adaptions, a species is able to evolve to be better
prepared. Variation comes from the sex gametes. The sex gametes are created through sexual
reproduction. Therefore, the more a species sexually reproduces, the more genetic variation these
is.(pgs:94-98) -Michael Nelson