Description
Choose 4 of the questions below to answer in a short paragraph or two, a list, or a chart. Each answer is worth up to 10 points for a total of 40. You may submit files and images via Canvas OR bring hard copies to class. You need to complete all parts of all four questions for credit. Please type as much as of your work as possible (okay to submit photos of handwritten squares, charts math, etc, as long as it is neat and legible) and make neat charts if applicable.You will be evaluated on how well you answer as well as how well you can demonstrate your knowledge of class learning objectives and concepts (both in general and in detail). It is a good idea to use your book and any other class materials, including slideshows, videos, and notes. It is NOT A GOOD IDEA to look up answers online. Answers that are plagiarized or obviously inspired by web searches will not get credit. This exam is intended to evaluate your understanding of course objectives and your ability to utilize your book and other class materialsCells and DNA: Describe both mitosis and meiosis. What happens to a cell in each process, and what is the final outcome? What are the key differences between these two biological processes? When thinking about Meiosis, how does it confirm Mendel’s ideas about segregation and independent assortment of traits? Why is meiosis more important when it comes to understanding evolution than mitosis?Discuss DNA and RNA. How are they similar and different? Discuss where in the cell each can be found, as well as the functions of each molecule (what does DNA do? What does RNA do?). Next, give a brief description of protein synthesis and how it works inside your cells. What steps are involved in going from DNA code to an actual protein? After reviewing the material in the modules describe the role RNA plays in the covid-19 vaccines. How can you explain that these vaccines do not alter our DNA or change our cells?Hominids: Describe your favorite bipedal hominid. Where and when did it live? Describe some key identifying features of this species, and also which type of tool making culture it is most closely associated with. Is it a direct human ancestor (if so, what makes us think this, and what features does it share with modern Homo sapiens?), or an offshoot/separate species (if so, what makes us think this, and what features set it apart?)?Comparative Anatomy: Discuss sexual dimorphism as it applies to humans. List and explain at least three specific skeletal traitsobservable in the cranium or post-cranial skeleton where males and females differ, and explain the differences. Now compare human sexual dimorphism to the degree of sexual dimorphism found in great apes (recall there are 4 species of living great apes besides humans- their sexual dimorphism may not all be the same). Do humans have more or less sexual dimorphism than apes in general? We know that sexual dimorphism in canine size and body size often correlates with social organization. What does Homo sapiens’ sexual dimorphism suggest about social organization? How do some or all of the traits you described reflect evolutionary trends?
