Question 1

In primates with large facial skeletons powerful muscles are required to keep the head up.The size of this muscle is reflected in the presence on the back of the skull of a:
A)nuchal crest
B)sagittal crest
C)mandibular crest
D)occipital crest

Accepted Answer

The nuchal crest is a bony ridge located on the back of the skull, specifically the occipital bone. It provides attachment points for muscles that are involved in head movement and posture, including the trapezius and splenius capitis muscles. Primates with large facial skeletons, such as gorillas, require powerful muscles to keep the head upright, which is reflected in the size of the nuchal crest.

Question 2

In the vertebrates,the area of the brain associated with the association and coordination of impulses coming in from the sense organs and other areas of the brain is the:
A)neocortex
B)medulla oblongata
C)thalamus
D)olfactory bulbs

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the vertebrates,the area of the brain...

Question 3

An endocranial cast is a:
A)cast of the inside of the brain case
B)cast of the exterior of the brain case
C)measure of the volume of the brain case
D)measure of the length of the skull relative to its width

Accepted Answer

An endocranial cast is a replica of the inside surface of the braincase, which is made to study the shape and size of the brain as well as its structure in extinct animals.

Question 4

The zygomatic arch refers to the:
A)cheekbone
B)bony socket that surrounds the eye
C)flange for the attachment of neck muscles
D)eardrum

Accepted Answer

The zygomatic arch refers specifically to the cheekbone, which is also known as the zygomatic bone. The arch extends from the temporal bone at the side of the skull to the maxilla (upper jaw) in the front, forming the prominence of the cheek. It serves as an attachment point for several muscles, including the masseter muscle that is responsible for chewing.

Question 5

The adult gorilla has how many teeth?
A)44
B)36
C)32
D)20

Accepted Answer

Like humans, adult gorillas have 32 teeth.

Question 6

The average cranial capacity for modern humans is:
A)550 cubic centimeters
B)1050 cubic centimeters
C)1350 cubic centimeters
D)1850 cubic centimeters

Accepted Answer

The average cranial capacity for modern humans is about 1350 cubic centimeters. This is significantly larger than earlier hominids and primates, suggesting that the evolution of the human brain has played a key role in the success and dominance of the species. Options A, B, and D are far from the actual average cranial capacity of modern humans.

Question 7

In humans,the occipital condyles and the foramen magnum lie:
A)well forward on the underside of the skull
B)well back on the underside of the skull
C)almost directly in the center of the underside of the skull
D)on the back of the skull

Accepted Answer

The occipital condyles and the foramen magnum are located almost directly in the center of the underside of the skull, which allows for an upright posture by balancing the skull atop the vertebral column.

Question 8

The largest encephalization quotient is found in:
A)New World monkeys
B)Old World monkeys
C)apes
D)dolphins
E)humans

Accepted Answer

Encephalization quotient (EQ) is a measure of brain-to-body size ratio that is correlated with cognitive abilities. Human beings have the highest EQ of all living species, which is around 7.5, whereas, Old World monkeys, New World monkeys, apes, and dolphins have much lower EQ values. Therefore, option E is the correct answer.

Question 9

Which of the following cranial capacities fall outside the normal range of variation for modern humans?
A)900 cubic centimeters
B)1100 cubic centimeters
C)1800 cubic centimeters
D)none of the above

Accepted Answer

All three cranial capacities fall within the normal range of variation for modern humans. The average cranial capacity for modern humans is around 1300-1400 cubic centimeters with a range of 900-1800 cubic centimeters. Therefore, none of the above choices fall outside the normal range of variation.

Question 10

Primate dentition is characterized by:
A)heterodonty
B)diphydonty
C)fairly unspecialized tooth structure
D)all of the above

Accepted Answer

Primate dentition is characterized by heterodonty, which means that different teeth have different shapes and functions, such as incisors for biting, canines for tearing, and molars for grinding. They are also diphyodont, meaning that primates have two sets of teeth in their lifetime, deciduous or baby teeth, and permanent teeth. Finally, primate tooth structure is specialized for different diets and feeding strategies, but overall, they have fairly unspecialized tooth structure compared to other mammals, such as herbivores with flat teeth for grinding plant matter or carnivores with sharp teeth for tearing meat.

Question 11

Grasping,ripping,tearing,defense,and antagonistic display are the functions of the:
A)incisors
B)canines
C)premolars
D)molars

Accepted Answer

Canines are the teeth that are responsible for grasping, ripping, tearing, and defense. Canines are long, pointed teeth that are designed to grab and tear food, as well as defend against threats. Incisors, premolars, and molars all have different functions in the mouth, but they are not responsible for these specific actions.

Question 12

Molars with broad,flat basins and low rounded cusps are characteristic of:
A)folivores
B)insectivores
C)frugivores
D)omnivores

Accepted Answer

Frugivores, or fruit-eaters, have molars with broad, flat basins and low rounded cusps to help them grind and mash fruit.

Question 13

With respect to the evolution of the sense organs,the primate skull is characterized by:
A)reduction of the snout
B)an enlarged cranium
C)positioning of the eyes on the front of the skull
D)all of the above

Accepted Answer

The reduction of the snout and enlarging of the cranium are both related to the expansion of the brain, which is a defining characteristic of primates. Positioning of the eyes on the front of the skull allows for stereoscopic or binocular vision, the ability to perceive depth perception and improved visual acuity, which is advantageous for primates that rely heavily on vision for their survival. Therefore, all of the above choices are correct.

Question 14

Among the anthropoids the cerebral cortex is highly convoluted and differentiated into areas associated with specific functions.Those areas that are greatly expanded in humans include those associated with:
A)vision
B)language
C)hand coordination
D)all of the above

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions that the cerebral cortex is highly differentiated in anthropoids (primates). It then specifies that areas greatly expanded in humans include those associated with vision, language, and hand coordination. Therefore, the best answer is D - all of the above.

Question 15

The adult human has how many teeth?
A)44
B)36
C)32
D)20

Accepted Answer

The adult human has 32 teeth, including incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

Question 16

The increase in brain size over and beyond that due to an increase in body size is measured by the:
A)allometric index
B)encephalization quotient
C)frontal quotient
D)interhemispheric index

Accepted Answer

The encephalization quotient (EQ) is a measure of the increase in brain size relative to body size beyond what would be expected based on evolutionary scaling of body size. It takes into account both brain weight and body weight and is used to compare the relative brain sizes of different species. Therefore, B is the best choice for this question.

Question 17

The dental formula for an adult chimpanzee is:
A)2.1.2.3/2.1.2.3
B)2.1.3.2/2.1.3.2
C)2.1.3.3/2.1.3.3
D)3.1.4.3/3.1.4.3

Accepted Answer

The answer of The dental formula for an adult chimpanzee...

Question 18

The cranial capacities of the great apes generally fall between:
A)100-300 cubic centimeters
B)400-500 cubic centimeters
C)850-950 cubic centimeters
D)1000-1250 cubic centimeters

Accepted Answer

The cranial capacities of great apes, such as chimpanzees and gorillas, typically range from 400 to 500 cubic centimeters.

Question 19

Allometric growth is:
A)growth in the first year of life
B)growth of the brain
C)growth that occurs as an adult
D)the growth of some parts of the body faster than others

Accepted Answer

Allometric growth refers to the growth of some parts of the body faster than others, such as the growth of limbs compared to the trunk during infancy. It can also refer to the differential growth of different body parts in adult animals. It is not specifically limited to growth in the first year of life or growth of the brain.

Question 20

A jutting forward of the jaw,caused by the massiveness of the teeth and jaw,is known as:
A)ectotympanic
B)prognathism
C)nuchalism
D)orthognathism

Accepted Answer

Prognathism is the correct term for the jutting forward of the jaw caused by the massiveness of the teeth and jaw. Ectotympanic refers to an external auditory process, Nuchalism refers to the nuchal region of the neck, and Orthognathism refers to having a straight or normal jaw alignment.

Quiz 8: Comparative Studies: Anatomy and Genetics

In primates with large facial skeletons powerful muscles are required to keep the head up.The size of this muscle is reflected in the presence on the back of the skull of a:

In the vertebrates,the area of the brain associated with the association and coordination of impulses coming in from the sense organs and other areas of the brain is the:

An endocranial cast is a:

The zygomatic arch refers to the:

The adult gorilla has how many teeth?

The average cranial capacity for modern humans is:

In humans,the occipital condyles and the foramen magnum lie:

The largest encephalization quotient is found in:

Which of the following cranial capacities fall outside the normal range of variation for modern humans?

Primate dentition is characterized by:

Grasping,ripping,tearing,defense,and antagonistic display are the functions of the:

Molars with broad,flat basins and low rounded cusps are characteristic of:

With respect to the evolution of the sense organs,the primate skull is characterized by:

Among the anthropoids the cerebral cortex is highly convoluted and differentiated into areas associated with specific functions.Those areas that are greatly expanded in humans include those associated with:

The adult human has how many teeth?

The increase in brain size over and beyond that due to an increase in body size is measured by the:

The dental formula for an adult chimpanzee is:

The cranial capacities of the great apes generally fall between:

Allometric growth is:

A jutting forward of the jaw,caused by the massiveness of the teeth and jaw,is known as: