Question 1

__________ was the first to question the nature of the relationship between humans and their relatives, the chimpanzees and gorillas.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

__________ are periods during the Pleistocene where the climate was as warm or warmer than that of today.

Accepted Answer

Interglacials are periods during the Pleistocene where the climate was as warm or warmer than that of today. Heat waves and global warmings refer to short-term weather events or trends, not long-term geologic periods. Glaciers refer to periods of cold climate and ice accumulation.

Question 3

Fluctuations in the earth's climate during the Pleistocene are thought to be due to __________.

Accepted Answer

Astronomical changes, such as variations in the Earth's orbit and axial tilt, are thought to have played a significant role in the cyclical nature of Pleistocene climate fluctuations. This theory is supported by evidence from ice cores and sediment records. The other options (B, C, and D) are less likely to have been primary drivers of climate change during this period.

Question 4

Which of the following primates are included in the anthropoid suborder?

Accepted Answer

The anthropoid suborder includes humans, apes, and monkeys. Tarsiers belong to the prosimian suborder, while lemurs and indris belong to the strepsirrhine suborder.

Question 5

Aegyptopithecus dates to the __________ epoch.

Accepted Answer

Aegyptopithecus is known from the Oligocene epoch, which dates from about 34 to 23 million years ago. This primate is considered an important early ancestor in the primate lineage leading to humans.

Question 6

Proconsul and Kenyapithecus date to the __________ epoch.

Accepted Answer

Proconsul and Kenyapithecus are both extinct genera of primates that lived during the Miocene epoch, which occurred approximately 23-5 million years ago.

Question 7

It has been shown that chimpanzees share __________ percent of their genetic makeup with humans.

Accepted Answer

It has been shown through various studies that chimpanzees share approximately 99% of their genetic makeup with humans. This high level of genetic similarity has led to chimpanzees often being used as a model organism in biomedical research.

Question 8

Adaptive problems faced by early hominids include all of the following EXCEPT __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Adaptive problems faced by early hominids include...

Question 9

The hominid found dating between 6 and 7 mya with a mix of ape-like and human-like
Characteristics is __________.

Accepted Answer

Sahelanthropus tchadensis (Toumaï) is the only hominid found dating between 6 and 7 mya with a mix of ape-like and human-like characteristics.

Question 10

The important fossil nicknamed Lucy is a(n) __________ dating to 3.18 mya.

Accepted Answer

Lucy is a fossil of an Australopithecus afarensis, dating to 3.18 million years ago.

Question 11

At the site of __________ in northern Tanzania, there is evidence of bipedalism preserved in volcanic ash dating to 3.75 - 3.9 mya.

Accepted Answer

The site with evidence of bipedalism preserved in volcanic ash dating to 3.75-3.9 mya is Laetoli, located in northern Tanzania. Olduvai is also a famous archaeological site in Tanzania, but it is known for its early hominin fossils rather than preserved footprints. Koto Toro and Hadar are both archaeological sites, but they are located in Ethiopia, not Tanzania.

Question 12

Around 3 million years ago, the Australopithecus line split into two distinct lineages. The __________ australopithecines had small, delicate features and were found only in South Africa.

Accepted Answer

The description of "small, delicate features" matches the characteristics of the gracile australopithecines. Choice A is incorrect as "female" is not a classification of australopithecines. Choice C is incorrect as the robust australopithecines had a more robust skull and jaw, and were found in different regions of Africa. Choice D is incorrect as A. garhi is a specific species of australopithecine, rather than a distinct lineage.

Question 13

Around 3 million years ago, the Australopithecus line split into two distinct lineages. The __________ australopithecines were found in both East and South Africa and had a heavy build with specialized teeth.

Accepted Answer

The description matches that of the robust australopithecines, also known as Paranthropus. The gracile australopithecines, on the other hand, had a more slender build and less specialized teeth. Male is not a type of australopithecine, and anamensis is a specific species within the Australopithecus genus.

Question 14

The find associated with bones displaying cut marks suggests meat eating by the __________ may have occurred earlier than previously thought.

Accepted Answer

The find associated with Australopithecus garhi involving bones with cut marks suggests that this species may have been involved in meat-eating practices earlier than previously thought. This evidence challenges earlier assumptions about the dietary habits and technological capabilities of early hominins.

Question 15

The first member of the Homo lineage was __________.

Accepted Answer

Homo habilis is considered the first member of the Homo lineage, as it has a larger braincase and more human-like characteristics compared to the earlier Australopithecines.

Question 16

Which of the following is an explanation for concentrations of bones and stone tools dating to the time of Homo habilis?

Accepted Answer

Central places where hominids would return to eat, sleep, make tools, and socialize.

Question 17

The stone tool industry associated with early Homo is __________.

Accepted Answer

The stone tool industry associated with early Homo is Oldowan.

Question 18

According to __________, the flakes were more important in Oldowan technology than the cores.

Accepted Answer

Toth proposed that the flakes were more important in Oldowan technology than the cores, as they were the primary product of the knapping process and were used for various tasks.

Question 19

By examining living primates, Robin Dunbar was able to determine that __________ was related to brain size.

Accepted Answer

Robin Dunbar's research found that group size was closely related to brain size in primates, specifically the neocortex volume, which is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as language, problem-solving, and social interactions. This is known as Dunbar's number, which suggests that there is a cognitive limit to the number of social relationships that a primate species can sustain.

Question 20

Most archaeological evidence for Homo habilis indicates they lived near __________.

Accepted Answer

Homo habilis was believed to be adapted to living near permanent water sources, as evidenced by the locations of their fossil finds and the tools they made, which were suited for butchering and processing animal remains.

Quiz 2: Human Origins: 7 Million to 19 Million Years Ago