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Multiple Choice
One can tell the age of a skeleton by looking at the:
A
number of mitochondria in bone cells
B
amount of DNA in the bone marrow
C
size of the rib cage
D
epiphyseal plates (growth plates) in the bones
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of epiphyseal plates: These are areas of cartilage located at the ends of long bones in children and adolescents. They are responsible for bone growth and eventually ossify (turn into solid bone) as a person matures.
Recognize that the state of the epiphyseal plates can indicate the age of a skeleton. In younger individuals, these plates are still active and made of cartilage, while in adults, they have fully ossified.
Learn how forensic scientists or anthropologists examine the epiphyseal plates. They use X-rays or physical examination to determine whether the plates are still present or have fused completely.
Compare the skeleton's epiphyseal plates to established growth plate timelines. Scientists have documented the typical ages at which different bones ossify, allowing them to estimate the age of the individual.
Understand why other options are incorrect: The number of mitochondria in bone cells, the amount of DNA in the bone marrow, and the size of the rib cage do not provide reliable indicators of age. Epiphyseal plates are the most accurate biological markers for determining skeletal age.