Isotopic analysis of human tooth enamel or bone collagen relies on
A)the presence of phytolithis
B)whether the person ate sugar or not
C)reading the chemical signature left in the body by different foods
D)the amount of calcium a person consumed in later life
E)how well an individual cared for their teeth

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Isotopic analysis of human tooth enamel or bone collagen relies on reading the chemical signature left in the body by different foods. This is because the isotopes of different elements, such as carbon and nitrogen, are incorporated into the body through the foods that are consumed, and can be analyzed to determine the types of foods that were eaten. The presence of phytoliths, sugar consumption, calcium intake, and oral hygiene habits may also have an impact on the teeth or bones, but they are not directly used in isotopic analysis.

Isotopic Analysis of Human Tooth Enamel or Bone Collagen Relies