Question 1

_________________ refers to the idea that a series of beneficial adjustments occurred to organisms in their environment.

Accepted Answer

Adaptation refers to the idea that a series of beneficial adjustments occurred to organisms in their environment.

Question 2

The hypothesis that modern human originated through a process of simultaneous local transition from Homo erectus to Homo sapiens throughout the inhabited world is called the _______________.

Accepted Answer

The multiregional hypothesis suggests that modern human originated through a process of simultaneous local transition from Homo erectus to Homo sapiens throughout the inhabited world, with gene flow occurring between different populations. This hypothesis is in contrast with the recent African origins hypothesis, which proposes that modern humans evolved in Africa and then dispersed to the rest of the world. The other answer choices are not related to this hypothesis.

Question 3

Which of the following tool makers invented the burin,which came into common use in the Upper Paleolithic?

Accepted Answer

The Mousterian toolmakers, associated with Neanderthals, are known for their flint tools but the invention of the burin, a type of chisel, is attributed to the Upper Paleolithic period, which followed the Mousterian. The question seems to conflate tool types and makers; however, given the options, Mousterian is the closest in context, despite the burin being more characteristic of later Upper Paleolithic cultures, not directly the Mousterians.

Question 4

German anatomist Blumenbach expanded on Linnaeus' classification system of humans and determined that people from which region were the most beautiful people in the world?

Accepted Answer

Blumenbach believed that people from the region of the Caucasus Mountains were the most beautiful and superior in physical characteristics, including fair skin and delicate features.

Question 5

One of the most hotly debated genetic relationships in paleoanthropology is the connection between modern humans and:

Accepted Answer

The connection between modern humans and Neanderthals is a widely debated topic in paleoanthropology. Some studies suggest that Neanderthals interbred with modern humans, while others suggest that they are a separate species that went extinct. The fact that modern humans share some genetic similarities with Neanderthals suggests that they are closely related.

Question 6

The basic physical units of heredity are _________________ .

Accepted Answer

Genes are the basic physical units of heredity, carrying the information that determines the traits passed from parents to offspring.

Question 7

Which Swedish naturalist divided the human species into four major groups according to geographic area,classifying all Europeans as white,Africans as black,American Indians as red,Asians as yellow?

Accepted Answer

Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish naturalist, divided the human species into four major groups according to geographic area, classifying all Europeans as white, Africans as black, American Indians as red, and Asians as yellow in his book Systema Naturae.

Question 8

The concept of race is has powerful symbolic significance in many countries as a ________________ category.

Accepted Answer

The concept of race has significant social and political implications, as it is used to categorize people based on physical features and ancestry. Race can influence access to resources, opportunities, and social status, making it a powerful force in shaping social and political structures. While race is often perceived as a biological category, research has shown that it is largely a social construct, with no inherent biological or genetic basis.

Question 9

The greatest single cache of hominin fossils in the world was found at _______________.

Accepted Answer

Atapuerca in Spain is renowned for containing the largest and most diverse collection of hominin fossils. This site has provided invaluable insights into early human evolution, with discoveries spanning several species and a wide time range.

Question 10

The biological concept of race does not apply to ______________ ______________ .

Accepted Answer

The biological concept of race does not apply to Homo sapiens because race is a social construct and not a biological one. While there may be some genetic differences between different populations of humans, these differences are not sufficient to divide humans into distinct biological races. Additionally, the concept of race has been historically used to promote discrimination and inequality, which further emphasizes the fact that race is a social construct rather than a biological reality. The other choices are extinct species of the Homo genus and are not relevant to the question.

Question 11

Anatomically modern Homo sapiens indisputably appear by _______________ years ago.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Anatomically modern Homo sapiens indisputably appear by...

Question 12

_______________ are typically represented in the popular media as "cave men."

Accepted Answer

Neandertals are often depicted in popular media as "cave men," with a stooped posture, heavy brow ridge, and primitive features. This portrayal, however, is not entirely accurate and has been the subject of debate among scientists. Neandertals were in fact a diverse group of humans who lived in Europe and western Asia between approximately 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. They were skilled hunters, used tools, made art, and likely had complex social structures.

Question 13

In Europe,the transition to the tools of the _______________ occurred between 35,000 and 40,000 years ago.

Accepted Answer

The Upper Paleolithic period in Europe occurred between 35,000 and 40,000 years ago and was characterized by the use of advanced stone tools such as blades, burins, and scrapers. The Lower Paleolithic period (option A) occurred between 2.6 million and 300,000 years ago and was characterized by the use of simple stone tools, while the Middle Paleolithic period (option B) occurred between 300,000 and 30,000 years ago and was characterized by the emergence of Neanderthals and the use of more sophisticated tools such as spears and handaxes. The Lower Neolithic period (option D) occurred between 10,000 and 5,000 years ago and was characterized by the development of agriculture and the use of polished stone tools, while the Upper Mesolithic period (option E) occurred between 9,000 and 5,000 years ago and was characterized by the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture.

Question 14

_______________ was the tool industry found among the Neandertals.

Accepted Answer

The Mousterian industry is associated with the Neanderthals, and it is characterized by the development of more complex flake tools compared to the earlier Oldowan and Acheulian industries. The Levallois technique was also part of the Mousterian industry, but it was not exclusive to the Neanderthals. The Acheulian and Oldowan industries were earlier and primarily associated with Homo erectus and early Homo habilis, respectively. The baton tool is not a recognized tool industry, but rather a type of tool made using the Levallois technique.

Question 15

Race as a biological construct is ________________ .

Accepted Answer

Race as a biological construct is not supported by scientific evidence. There is more genetic variation within racial groups than between them, and physical characteristics used to define races are not consistent across different populations. Therefore, the concept of race is considered a social construct rather than a biological one.

Question 16

The Upper Paleolithic is marked by human migration to _______________ for the first time.

Accepted Answer

The Upper Paleolithic period is marked by the first human migration to Australia, among other significant developments in human prehistory. This migration is believed to have occurred around 50,000 years ago, significantly earlier than the colonization of the Americas.

Question 17

Human populations are genetically ________________ .

Accepted Answer

Human populations are genetically open because individuals can move and reproduce between populations, leading to genetic flow and mixing.

Question 18

The Neandertal controversy exists because in comparison to earlier and later species of Homo,the Neandertals _______________.

Accepted Answer

The Neandertal controversy exists because the Neandertals can be seen as being biologically transitional between earlier and later species of Homo. They had some physical traits that were different from modern humans but also had some similarities. This has led to debate over whether they were a separate species or a subspecies of Homo sapiens. The other options are not accurate as Neandertals also lived in warmer regions, had a sophisticated tool tradition, and were capable of using fire. It is also unclear how advanced their language abilities were.

Question 19

Which of the following anthropologists combated against the evaluation of humans by race?

Accepted Answer

Franz Boas and Ashley Montagu both combated against the evaluation of humans by race.

Question 20

The concept of race is ____________________ .

Accepted Answer

The concept of race is arbitrary because it is a social construct that has been used to divide people based on physical characteristics such as skin color, ethnicity, and ancestry. There is no scientific basis for race as a biological category, and it is not exclusive or expressive as it does not accurately reflect the diversity of human populations. Additionally, race has been historically used as a tool for discrimination and oppression, further emphasizing its arbitrary nature.

Quiz 4: Becoming Human: the Origin and Diversity of Our Species