The idea that cranial shape can change within a human population as a result of dietary change is referred to as the

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The masticatory-functional hypothesis suggests that changes in cranial shape can occur as a result of changes in diet and chewing behavior. This hypothesis argues that the force exerted by the muscles involved in chewing (such as the masseter and temporalis muscles) can cause remodeling of the bones of the skull over time. Thus, changes in diet (such as a shift from tough or fibrous foods to softer, more processed foods) can lead to changes in cranial shape. The other options are not correct because they either refer to specific aspects of the masticatory-functional hypothesis (such as the role of hard objects in feeding, or the specific muscles involved in chewing) or are not related to this hypothesis at all (such as the morpho-cranial hypothesis, which is a broader framework for understanding the relationship between morphology and ecology).

The Idea That Cranial Shape Can Change Within a Human