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The Mitochondrial Eve Hypothesis suggests that the mitochondrial DNA of all living people can be traced back to a few women in Africa - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 7 - 2011 - Paper 1
Question 7
The Mitochondrial Eve Hypothesis suggests that the mitochondrial DNA of all living people can be traced back to a few women in Africa. a. i. Why is mitochondrial DN... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The Mitochondrial Eve Hypothesis suggests that the mitochondrial DNA of all living people can be traced back to a few women in Africa - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 7 - 2011 - Paper 1
Step 1
a. i. Why is mitochondrial DNA useful for tracking human evolutionary history?
Answer
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is particularly useful for tracking human evolutionary history because it is inherited maternally, meaning it is passed down from mothers to their offspring without recombination. This allows researchers to trace back maternal lineages with high accuracy. Additionally, mtDNA has a relatively fast mutation rate, which can help in determining variations among different populations and understanding evolutionary relationships over time.
Step 2
Step 3
b. Based on these observations, what are two inferences that can be made about human evolution?
Answer
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The DNA samples taken from living humans showing high similarity suggests that modern humans share a recent common ancestor, pointing to a relatively recent origin of our species.
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The greatest variation of mitochondrial DNA observed within African populations indicates that Africa was likely the cradle of human evolution, where early humans diversified before migrating to other regions.
Step 4
c. i. Explain why DNA analysis cannot be used to trace very early hominin (previously called hominid) ancestry.
Answer
DNA analysis cannot be used to trace very early hominin ancestry because the DNA from such ancient fossils is often degraded or contaminated over time. This degradation makes it difficult to extract and analyze usable DNA, resulting in inconclusive or unreliable data.
Step 5
c. ii. Outline two types of evidence, other than DNA analysis, that can be used to determine the relatedness and age of early hominins.
Answer
Evidence 1: Fossils - The examination of fossilized remains allows scientists to study the physical characteristics and morphology of early hominins, providing insights into their evolutionary relationships.
Evidence 2: Tools - Archaeological evidence of stone tools and their styles can illustrate cognitive and cultural developments, giving clues about the lifeways and ages of early hominins.