Question 1

Why did the radiation of hominoids come to an end?

Accepted Answer

The radiation of hominoids came to an end because climate change reduced diversity in this taxon. During the Miocene, Earth became cooler and drier, and fruit-filled forests changed into woodland and savanna. This change in environment favored monkeys. However, large-bodied frugivorous apes could no longer make good use of resources in order to meet their metabolic requirements. As such, many hominoid species met an evolutionary dead end.

Question 2

Plesiadapiforms had several primitive features, including

Accepted Answer

A)  nails instead of claws. 
B)  eyes that were placed on the sides of their heads. 
C)  the presence of a postorbital bar. 
D)  habitual terrestrial behavior. 
A)  nails instead of claws. 
B)  eyes that were placed on the sides of their heads. 
C)  the presence of a postorbital bar. 
D)  habitual terrestrial behavior. B

Question 3

Which of the following derived characteristics did the earliest oligopithecid primates share with modern haplorrhines?

Accepted Answer

A)  Their eye sockets were fully enclosed by bone. 
B)  They had a 2.1.3.3 dental formula. 
C)  They were nocturnal. 
D)  They had prehensile tails. 
A)  Their eye sockets were fully enclosed by bone. 
B)  They had a 2.1.3.3 dental formula. 
C)  They were nocturnal. 
D)  They had prehensile tails. A

Question 4

Modern ________ were most likely derived from the propliopithecids.

Accepted Answer

A)  lemurs 
B)  Old World monkeys 
C)  tarsiers 
D)  New World monkeys 
A)  lemurs 
B)  Old World monkeys 
C)  tarsiers 
D)  New World monkeys

Question 5

Which of the following is true of electron-spin-resonance dating?

Accepted Answer

A)  It cannot be used on teeth. 
B)  It uses a magnetic field to count the number of trapped electrons in apatite crystals. 
C)  It measures the breakdown of molecules in teeth to estimate their age. 
D)  It is used to date zirconium crystals and has been used in South Africa where potassium-argon methods can't be applied. 
A)  It cannot be used on teeth. 
B)  It uses a magnetic field to count the number of trapped electrons in apatite crystals. 
C)  It measures the breakdown of molecules in teeth to estimate their age. 
D)  It is used to date zirconium crystals and has been used in South Africa where potassium-argon methods can't be applied.

Question 6

Radiometric dating can be problematic when applied to recent samples because

Accepted Answer

A)  it cannot be used in conjunction with other dating techniques. 
B)  the earth's magnetic field changes periodically. 
C)  these methods have relatively large margins for error. 
D)  many fossils of interest were present only during a limited period of time. 
A)  it cannot be used in conjunction with other dating techniques. 
B)  the earth's magnetic field changes periodically. 
C)  these methods have relatively large margins for error. 
D)  many fossils of interest were present only during a limited period of time.

Question 7

The first mammals evolved from

Accepted Answer

A)  dinosaurs. 
B)  birds. 
C)  therapsids. 
D)  reptiles. 
A)  dinosaurs. 
B)  birds. 
C)  therapsids. 
D)  reptiles.

Question 8

Potassium-argon dating is best used to date

Accepted Answer

A)  recent archaeological sites. 
B)  young rocks. 
C)  young fossils. 
D)  old fossils or rocks. 
A)  recent archaeological sites. 
B)  young rocks. 
C)  young fossils. 
D)  old fossils or rocks.

Question 9

You are an expert paleontologist reviewing the work of Professor Bonefinder, who recently discovered the remains of a primate fossil from South America. The fossil has a long snout, a tail, and large orbits that face toward the side and are only partially enclosed. The fossil has been securely dated to about 30 Ma. Bonefinder concluded that this fossil is a hominoid. Do you think Professor Bonefinder's analysis is correct? Explain your evaluation.

Accepted Answer

Students should be skeptical of Dr. Bone

Question 10

The first hominoid, known as Proconsul, appeared

Accepted Answer

A)  after Kenyapithecus. 
B)  during the Miocene. 
C)  in a woodland environment. 
D)  in Africa. 
A)  after Kenyapithecus. 
B)  during the Miocene. 
C)  in a woodland environment. 
D)  in Africa.

Question 11

The ratio of 16O to 18O in seawater over time estimated from deep-sea sediment cores indicates

Accepted Answer

A)  an overall warming trend from about 50 million years ago. 
B)  an overall cooling trend from about 50 million years ago. 
C)  cycles of cooling and warming around an average of about 5 degrees C. 
D)  a remarkably steady global temperature, suggesting that continental drift, not climate change, causes most ecological changes. 
A)  an overall warming trend from about 50 million years ago. 
B)  an overall cooling trend from about 50 million years ago. 
C)  cycles of cooling and warming around an average of about 5 degrees C. 
D)  a remarkably steady global temperature, suggesting that continental drift, not climate change, causes most ecological changes.

Question 12

Gondwanaland was a landmass that consisted of

Accepted Answer

A)  all present-day continents. 
B)  all present-day continents except for Asia. 
C)  India and North America. 
D)  most of the continents in the Southern Hemisphere. 
A)  all present-day continents. 
B)  all present-day continents except for Asia. 
C)  India and North America. 
D)  most of the continents in the Southern Hemisphere.

Question 13

Imagine a fossil specimen with huge eye sockets. This animal was most likely

Accepted Answer

A)  a predator. 
B)  a prey animal. 
C)  nocturnal. 
D)  diurnal. 
A)  a predator. 
B)  a prey animal. 
C)  nocturnal. 
D)  diurnal.

Question 14

Robert Martin simulated the evolution of primates in relation to our ability to find ancient species and estimated that the current sample of fossil primates represents ________% of those that ever lived.

Accepted Answer

A)  3 
B)  36 
C)  63 
D)  93 
A)  3 
B)  36 
C)  63 
D)  93

Question 15

Compared with the Eocene, the Oligocene was characterized by

Accepted Answer

A)  the rise of a land bridge connecting North and South America. 
B)  colder, more variable global temperatures. 
C)  a change in the Northern Hemisphere from deciduous to tropical forests. 
D)  warmer, more consistent temperatures. 
A)  the rise of a land bridge connecting North and South America. 
B)  colder, more variable global temperatures. 
C)  a change in the Northern Hemisphere from deciduous to tropical forests. 
D)  warmer, more consistent temperatures.

Question 16

Which of the following important geological events occurred approximately 135 Ma?

Accepted Answer

A)  Laurasia divided into Pangaea and Gondwanaland. 
B)  Gondwanaland divided into North America and Europe. 
C)  Pangaea divided into Laurasia and Gondwanaland. 
D)  India moved north to join Europe. 
A)  Laurasia divided into Pangaea and Gondwanaland. 
B)  Gondwanaland divided into North America and Europe. 
C)  Pangaea divided into Laurasia and Gondwanaland. 
D)  India moved north to join Europe.

Question 17

Fossils are formed when

Accepted Answer

A)  rocks are heated by volcanic activity and then cooled rapidly. 
B)  rocks are heated by volcanic activity and then cooled slowly. 
C)  bone is mineralized by interaction with surrounding rock. 
D)  animals die slowly through starvation. 
A)  rocks are heated by volcanic activity and then cooled rapidly. 
B)  rocks are heated by volcanic activity and then cooled slowly. 
C)  bone is mineralized by interaction with surrounding rock. 
D)  animals die slowly through starvation.

Question 18

Which of the following statements concerning climate change is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because Pangaea was so large, it probably had cold winter weather, like Asia does today. 
B)  Because Pangaea was so large, it facilitated the circulation of water from the tropics to the poles. 
C)  Cold areas of the world today, such as Alaska, were always cold. 
D)  Europe was never tropical. 
A)  Because Pangaea was so large, it probably had cold winter weather, like Asia does today. 
B)  Because Pangaea was so large, it facilitated the circulation of water from the tropics to the poles. 
C)  Cold areas of the world today, such as Alaska, were always cold. 
D)  Europe was never tropical.

Question 19

Which of the following is true of the plesiadapiforms?

Accepted Answer

A)  They were alive during the Oligocene. 
B)  They lived in forested habitats. 
C)  They were the earliest mammals. 
D)  They had teeth that were adapted to eat only fruits. 
A)  They were alive during the Oligocene. 
B)  They lived in forested habitats. 
C)  They were the earliest mammals. 
D)  They had teeth that were adapted to eat only fruits.

Question 20

Radiometric dating is possible because

Accepted Answer

A)  isotopes decay at a known rate. 
B)  older layers are deeper than younger layers. 
C)  when rocks are formed, chemical signatures determine how long they will last. 
D)  when rocks are formed, their chemical configuration never changes. 
A)  isotopes decay at a known rate. 
B)  older layers are deeper than younger layers. 
C)  when rocks are formed, chemical signatures determine how long they will last. 
D)  when rocks are formed, their chemical configuration never changes.

Why did the radiation of hominoids come to an end?

Plesiadapiforms had several primitive features, including

Which of the following derived characteristics did the earliest oligopithecid primates share with modern haplorrhines?

Modern ________ were most likely derived from the propliopithecids.

Which of the following is true of electron-spin-resonance dating?

Radiometric dating can be problematic when applied to recent samples because

The first mammals evolved from

Potassium-argon dating is best used to date

The first hominoid, known as Proconsul, appeared

The ratio of ¹⁶O to ¹⁸O in seawater over time estimated from deep-sea sediment cores indicates

Gondwanaland was a landmass that consisted of

Imagine a fossil specimen with huge eye sockets. This animal was most likely

Robert Martin simulated the evolution of primates in relation to our ability to find ancient species and estimated that the current sample of fossil primates represents ________% of those that ever lived.

Compared with the Eocene, the Oligocene was characterized by

Which of the following important geological events occurred approximately 135 Ma?

Fossils are formed when

Which of the following statements concerning climate change is correct?

Which of the following is true of the plesiadapiforms?

Radiometric dating is possible because

Adaptation by Natural Selection

Genetics

The Modern Synthesis

Speciation and Phylogeny

Primate Diversity and Ecology

Primate Mating Systems

The Evolution of Cooperation

Primate Life Histories and the Evolution of Intelligence

The Earliest Hominins

Early Homo and H Erectus 26-1 Ma

The Neanderthals and Their Contemporaries

Homo Sapiens and the Evolution of Modern Human Behavior

Human Genetics and Variation

Evolution and Human Behavior

Culture, Cooperation, and Human Uniqueness

Filters

Exam 9: From Tree Shrew to Ape

Why did the radiation of hominoids come to an end?

Plesiadapiforms had several primitive features, including

Which of the following derived characteristics did the earliest oligopithecid primates share with modern haplorrhines?

Modern ________ were most likely derived from the propliopithecids.

Which of the following is true of electron-spin-resonance dating?

Radiometric dating can be problematic when applied to recent samples because

The first mammals evolved from

Potassium-argon dating is best used to date

The first hominoid, known as Proconsul, appeared

The ratio of 16O to 18O in seawater over time estimated from deep-sea sediment cores indicates

Gondwanaland was a landmass that consisted of

Imagine a fossil specimen with huge eye sockets. This animal was most likely

Robert Martin simulated the evolution of primates in relation to our ability to find ancient species and estimated that the current sample of fossil primates represents ________% of those that ever lived.

Compared with the Eocene, the Oligocene was characterized by

Which of the following important geological events occurred approximately 135 Ma?

Fossils are formed when

Which of the following statements concerning climate change is correct?

Which of the following is true of the plesiadapiforms?

Radiometric dating is possible because

Adaptation by Natural Selection

Genetics

The Modern Synthesis

Speciation and Phylogeny

Primate Diversity and Ecology

Primate Mating Systems

The Evolution of Cooperation

Primate Life Histories and the Evolution of Intelligence

The Earliest Hominins

Early Homo and H Erectus 26-1 Ma

The Neanderthals and Their Contemporaries

Homo Sapiens and the Evolution of Modern Human Behavior

Human Genetics and Variation

Evolution and Human Behavior

Culture, Cooperation, and Human Uniqueness

Filters

The ratio of ¹⁶O to ¹⁸O in seawater over time estimated from deep-sea sediment cores indicates