Question 1

In primate dentition, the left side of a jaw is identical to the right side. This is called

Accepted Answer

Bilateral symmetry refers to the mirror-image relationship of structures on either side of a central axis. In primate dentition, the left side of the jaw is identical to the right side, demonstrating bilateral symmetry. Homologous dentition refers to teeth that have similar structures and functions between species, not necessarily within an individual's jaw. Positive correlation and pleiotropy are not relevant to this concept.

Question 2

What makes primates useful models for understanding human evolution?

Accepted Answer

Primates share many physiological, behavioral, and genetic similarities with humans. Studying these similarities in primates can provide insight into the evolution and development of traits that we share.

Question 3

Most primates rely more on visual stimuli and less on olfactory stimuli than do other mammals. Which of the following is one line of evidence for this?

Accepted Answer

The statement describes that primates rely more on visual stimuli and less on olfactory stimuli. Therefore, the best answer would be the one that describes the reduced olfactory apparatus in primates, especially diurnal primates. Option D states that the primate visual sense is highly developed while the olfactory apparatus is reduced, especially in diurnal primates, making it the best answer. Option A is incorrect because having a more complex eye does not necessarily indicate less reliance on olfactory stimuli. Option B is incorrect because stating that primate olfactory apparatuses are highly specialized does not necessarily indicate less reliance on olfactory stimuli. Option C is incorrect because having more olfactory nerves than other mammals does not necessarily indicate less reliance on olfactory stimuli.

Question 4

New World monkeys are

Accepted Answer

New World monkeys are all arboreal, meaning they live in trees, but not all of them have prehensile tails. However, some do have prehensile tails, which are able to grasp and hold onto branches like another hand, making them more adapted to life in the trees.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a homologous trait among humans and other primates?

Accepted Answer

Sexual dimorphism in body size is actually a homologous trait among primates, as it is a common feature in their evolutionary history. However, humans exhibit almost no sexual dimorphism in body size, which is a derived trait that distinguishes us from other primates.

Question 6

Members of the order Primates are very diverse in behavior and morphology. Much of this diversity may be understood as adaptations to particular environments. Using the study of this diversity to gain insight into human behavior and morphology is an example of reasoning by

Accepted Answer

Reasoning by analogy involves comparing two things that are similar in some ways and using those similarities to draw a conclusion. In this case, the behavior and morphology of primates can be compared to those of humans to gain insight, making the answer reasoning by analogy.

Question 7

Primates are found mainly in tropical regions. Which of the following is true of tropical environments?

Accepted Answer

Tropical environments do experience seasonal changes, but they are mainly related to rainfall rather than temperature. This is because tropical environments typically have little variation in temperature throughout the year. However, rainfall can vary significantly, affecting the availability and distribution of food sources for primates. Therefore, primate diets in tropical regions are more affected by changes in rainfall than by changes in temperature.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about Charles Darwin is true?

Accepted Answer

Darwin advocated for the classification of humans within the primate order based on evolutionary principles and shared characteristics, challenging the prevailing view that humans were separate due to unique traits.

Question 9

The diversity seen in behavior among closely related species is most likely due to ecological pressures. Similar behaviors seen in distantly related species is likely due to convergence. Which of the following research approaches utilizes these concepts as its foundation?

Accepted Answer

The comparative method aims to study the similarities and differences in traits, including behavior, among different species to understand the evolutionary patterns and ecological pressures that shaped them. This approach frequently utilizes the concepts of convergence and divergence to explain the observed patterns of behavior. Blind studies and double-blind studies typically focus on experimental design and controlling for bias, while observation and testing can be used in various research approaches including the comparative method.

Question 10

Humans and nonhuman primates share a suite of traits, including grasping hands and binocular vision, so their last common ancestor must have also shared this suite of traits. These traits in humans and nonhuman primates is therefore an example of

Accepted Answer

The traits shared between humans and nonhuman primates are considered homologous because they are derived from a common ancestor. Balancing selection refers to the maintenance of genetic variation in a population, analogy refers to similar traits that have evolved independently, and recombination refers to the shuffling of genetic material during meiosis.

Question 11

Pair-bonded groups and active defense of territories are typical of the

Accepted Answer

Lesser apes, such as gibbons and siamangs, are known for forming strong pair bonds and actively defending their territories against others of their species. This social structure is distinct from that of great apes, Old World monkeys, and lorises.

Question 12

Compared with the haplorrhines, which of the following is true of the strepsirrhines?

Accepted Answer

Strepsirrhines, also known as prosimians, have retained many ancestral characters, such as a reliance on olfactory communication and grooming with the toothcomb. Haplorrhines have evolved more derived traits, including increased reliance on vision and reduced reliance on olfaction.

Question 13

Hind-limb dominance refers to

Accepted Answer

Hind-limb dominance refers to the fact that hind limbs are responsible for most of the locomotor work.

Question 14

Derived characteristics that define the order Primates include

Accepted Answer

While bipedalism is a characteristic of some primates, it is not universal among all members of the order. Specialized teeth and a strong sense of smell are also not defining characteristics of primates. However, the increased dependence on complex behavior, learning, and behavioral flexibility is a key trait distinguishing primates from other animals.

Question 15

A feature that distinguishes primates from other mammals is

Accepted Answer

The answer of A feature that distinguishes primates from other...

Question 16

A high degree of sexual dimorphism observed in a fossil primate species could indicate that this species had social groups with a single male and multiple females. This would be an example of

Accepted Answer

This is an example of reasoning from analogy, as researchers are using similarities between the observed degree of sexual dimorphism and the social structure of modern primates to make an inference about the social structure of the fossil primate species.

Question 17

Diversity in closely related organisms living under different ecological conditions can help in the understanding of

Accepted Answer

Diversity in closely related organisms living under different ecological conditions can help in understanding how natural selection shapes behavior and morphology, as these organisms have evolved different traits and adaptations in response to their specific environments. This can provide insights into the mechanisms of natural selection and the ways in which different environmental pressures can drive evolutionary change.

Question 18

Mammals share certain traits, such as viviparity and lactation, because the common ancestor of this taxon had these traits. Studying such generalities about living mammals can give insight into particular mammalian species, such as ourselves. This is an example of reasoning by

Accepted Answer

Reasoning by homology involves understanding similarities between organisms as resulting from a common ancestor, which is the case for mammalian traits such as viviparity and lactation.

Question 19

Substantial size differences between males and females are called

Accepted Answer

Sexual dimorphism refers to the marked differences in size, shape, or coloration between males and females of a species. Conspecifics refer to members of the same species, while congenerics refer to members of different species within the same genus. Polyandry refers to a mating system in which a female mates with multiple males.

Question 20

Compared with the strepsirrhines, the haplorrhines are

Accepted Answer

Haplorrhines, which include monkeys, apes, and humans, are generally found in larger and more complex social groups compared to strepsirrhines, which include lemurs and lorises. This social complexity is one of the distinguishing features of haplorrhines.

Quiz 5: Primate Diversity and Ecology