In 1997, Ancient DNA Was Extracted from One of the Neandertal

question 28

Multiple Choice

In 1997, ancient DNA was extracted from one of the Neandertal bones originally found in Germany's Neandertal Valley in 1856. This was the first time that the DNA of a premodern human has been recovered. When comparing this DNA with that of modern humans, the researchers found

• A) 27 differences between the two, many more than would be expected in closely related humans, suggesting that there may have been little interbreeding between Neandertals and the direct ancestors to modern humans.
• B) only 5 to 8 differences between the two, as is typical of closely related humans, placing Neandertals within modern humans' direct line of descent.
• C) many more mutations in the Neandertal DNA, suggesting that the species had been around 100,000 years longer than previously estimated.
• D) no differences, since Neandertals and modern humans are the same species.
• E) that the two samples were not comparable, since the Neandertal DNA was molecularly different from the DNA of the reference sample.

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Definitions:

Felsic

A term used in geology to describe igneous rocks that are rich in light-colored minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and muscovite.

Pyroclastic Flows

High-density mixtures of hot volcanic ash, pumice, rock fragments, and volcanic gas that move away from the volcano at high speeds during an explosive eruption.

Mudflows

Rapid downhill movements of water-saturated earth material, primarily composed of mud and often triggered by heavy rainfall or volcanic activity.

Basaltic Lava

A type of molten rock that emerges from volcanoes or fissures on the Earth's surface, known for its low viscosity due to low silica content.