Question 1

Which of the following best describes the biocultural approach in anthropology?

Accepted Answer

It studies the interrelationship between inherited (biological) traits and cultural (learned) traits.

Question 2

Which subdiscipline of biological anthropology would most likely analyze DNA to study human evolution?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Question 3

Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection is based on several postulates. Which of the following is NOT one of Darwin’s postulates?

Accepted Answer

Acquired traits are passed directly to offspring.

Question 4

Which scientific discipline did Darwin rely on to understand the age and gradual changes of the Earth?

Accepted Answer

Geology

Question 5

Gregor Mendel’s work contributed to the evolutionary synthesis by explaining:

Accepted Answer

The laws of inheritance through discrete units called genes.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a uniquely human trait that emerged approximately 2.6 million years ago?

Accepted Answer

Complex material culture and tool use

Question 7

A population of finches on an island experiences a drought, resulting in only large, hard seeds being available. According to natural selection, what is the most likely outcome for the finch population?

Accepted Answer

Finches with larger beaks will have higher survival and reproductive success.

Question 8

Which concept did Georges Cuvier contribute to evolutionary thought?

Accepted Answer

Catastrophism and the idea that organisms can go extinct

Question 9

If a gene mutates spontaneously in a fruit fly population, which evolutionary force is being demonstrated?

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Question 10

Which equation represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for a population with two alleles, $$p$$ and $$q$$?

Accepted Answer

$$p^2 + 2pq$$ + $$q^2 = 1$

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why the scientific method is important in biological anthropology?

Accepted Answer

It allows for evidence-based thinking and continual revision of knowledge.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a branch of anthropology?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Question 13

Which evolutionary mechanism is most likely to increase genetic variation within a population by introducing new alleles from another population?

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Question 14

Which scientist is credited with the idea of uniformitarianism, which states that natural processes operating today are the same as those in the past?

Accepted Answer

Charles Lyell

Question 15

Which of the following statements about Lamarckism is correct?

Accepted Answer

It proposes that acquired characteristics during an organism’s lifetime can be inherited by offspring.

Question 16

Material culture is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

The part of culture expressed as material objects that humans use to manipulate environments.

Question 17

Which of the following is a direct result of social learning in humans?

Accepted Answer

The accumulation and transmission of knowledge across generations

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'survival of the fittest'?

Accepted Answer

Organisms best adapted to their environment survive and reproduce.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of gene drift?

Accepted Answer

A small population of humans on an isolated island loses a rare allele over generations due to random chance.

Question 20

Which scientist independently developed the theory of natural selection at the same time as Darwin?

Accepted Answer

Alfred Wallace

Introduction to Biological Anthropology: Foundations and Evolutionary Thought

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