Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

32. Vertebrates

Primates and Homonids

General Biology

32. Vertebrates

Primates and Homonids

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1:15 minutes

Problem 8

Textbook Question

Studies of DNA support which of the following?
a. Members of the group called australopiths were the first to migrate from Africa.
b. Homo sapiens originated in Africa.
c. Sahelanthropus was the earliest hominin.
d. Chimpanzees are more similar to gorillas and orangutans than to humans.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Begin by understanding the context of the question, which involves evolutionary biology and the study of DNA to trace the origins and relationships of species.

Step 2: Recall that DNA studies are used to determine genetic relationships and evolutionary history. Specifically, mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA analyses have provided evidence about the origins of Homo sapiens and their migration patterns.

Step 3: Review the 'Out of Africa' hypothesis, which is supported by DNA evidence. This hypothesis states that Homo sapiens originated in Africa and later migrated to other parts of the world.

Step 4: Consider the other options provided in the question. For example, australopiths were early hominins but not the first to migrate from Africa, and Sahelanthropus is considered one of the earliest hominins but not directly related to DNA studies supporting migration patterns.

Step 5: Evaluate the relationship between humans and other primates. DNA studies show that humans are more closely related to chimpanzees than to gorillas or orangutans, which contradicts option d. Based on this analysis, the correct answer is likely related to Homo sapiens originating in Africa.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Human Evolution

Human evolution refers to the lengthy process of change by which people originated from apelike ancestors. This process is supported by fossil evidence and genetic studies, which trace the lineage of modern humans (Homo sapiens) back to Africa, highlighting the significance of Africa as the cradle of human evolution.

Mitochondrial DNA and Genetic Evidence

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited maternally and has been used to trace lineage and migration patterns of humans. Genetic studies have shown that all modern humans share a common ancestor from Africa, supporting the theory that Homo sapiens originated there and migrated to other parts of the world.

Comparative Genomics

Comparative genomics involves comparing the genomes of different species to understand evolutionary relationships. Studies have shown that humans share a significant amount of genetic material with chimpanzees, indicating a close evolutionary relationship, while also revealing differences that distinguish humans from other primates like gorillas and orangutans.

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Textbook Question

Fossils suggest that the first major trait distinguishing hominins from other primates was

a. A larger brain.

b. Erect posture.

c. Forward-facing eyes with depth perception.

d. Tool making.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following correctly lists possible ancestors of humans from the oldest to the most recent?

a. Homo erectus, Australopithecus, Homo habilis

b. Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus

c. Australopithecus, Homo erectus, Homo habilis

d. Homo ergaster, Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis

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Textbook Question

Which of these is not a member of the anthropoids?

a. Chimpanzee

b. Tarsier

c. Human

d. New World monkey

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Textbook Question

What aspect of DNA structure makes it possible for the proteins of nucleotide excision repair to recognize many different types of DNA damage?

(a) the polarity of each DNA strand

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Textbook Question

Draw a phylogeny of major populations of modern humans that would reject the out-of-Africa hypothesis.

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Textbook Question

The earliest members of the genus Homo

a. Had a larger brain compared to other hominins.

b. Probably hunted dinosaurs.

c. Lived about 4 million years ago.

d. Were the first hominins to be bipedal.

1219

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Textbook Question

Humans possess which of the following traits? Select True or False for each trait. T/F triploblasty T/F parthenogenesis T/F viviparity T/F metamorphosis

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Textbook Question

Genetic diversity in living human populations is highest in Africa and decreases as a function of distance traveled by the human migration that left Africa many millennia ago. Draw a graph to show this trend. (Hint: What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable? What kind of graph is appropriate for this kind of data? Add a label where you would expect to find a data point for the Yanomamö tribe of the Amazon rain forest in South America. Why is it important to use indigenous people for this study?

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Studies of DNA support which of the following? a. Members of the group called australopiths were the first to migrate from Africa. b. Homo sapiens originated in Africa. c. Sahelanthropus was the earliest hominin. d. Chimpanzees are more similar to gorillas and orangutans than to humans.

Key Concepts

Human Evolution

Mitochondrial DNA and Genetic Evidence

Comparative Genomics

Watch next

Studies of DNA support which of the following?
a. Members of the group called australopiths were the first to migrate from Africa.
b. Homo sapiens originated in Africa.
c. Sahelanthropus was the earliest hominin.
d. Chimpanzees are more similar to gorillas and orangutans than to humans.