Why is the position of the foramen magnum informative in a hominid fossil?

A foramen magnum set forwards under the skull shows that the head was balanced on top of a vertical spine, which is evidence that the animal walked upright on two legs.

Give one limitation of fossil evidence in the classification of hominids.

The fossil record is incomplete and specimens are often only fragments, so a species may be defined on very few bones and then reinterpreted when further material is found.

How is DNA used to judge how closely two species are related?

The base sequences of the same gene are compared in the two species, and the fewer the differences between them, the more recently they shared a common ancestor.

Why can the amino acid sequence of a protein also be used as evidence of relatedness?

The amino acid sequence is determined by the base sequence of the gene coding for it, so differences between species reflect the mutations that have accumulated since they diverged.

OCR A-Level Biology B H422

The Developing Cell: Cell Division and Cell Differentiation

Topic overview The cell cycle and mitosis Apoptosis in growth and repair Stem cells and cell differentiation

The Developing Individual: Meiosis, Growth and Development

Topic overview Meiosis, haploid gametes and genetic variation The stages of meiosis Antenatal care and diet in pregnancy Alcohol, smoking and monitoring fetal growth Prenatal screening and karyotypes

The Development of Species: Evolution and Classification

Topic overview Classification and the species concept Evidence for classification and DNA barcoding Phylogenetic trees, hominids and the evolution of language Human adaptations, natural selection and evolution Plant adaptations and how they are investigated Measuring biodiversity and genetic diversity

Cells and Microscopy

Topic overview Microscopy and the cell theory Blood smears, staining and microscope drawings Blood cells and their structure Magnification and measuring cells Haemocytometer cell counts and dilutions Flow cytometry in blood analysis Ultrastructure of the animal cell Plant and prokaryotic cells Membrane lipids and the fluid mosaic model Movement of molecules across membranes The roles of membranes and the secretion of proteins

Water and Its Importance in Plants and Animals

Topic overview The properties of water Water as a transport medium and the composition of body fluids Detecting and measuring sugars and proteins Monomers, polymers and the carbohydrates Osmosis and water potential

Proteins and Enzymes

Topic overview Amino acids, peptide bonds and chromatography Globular protein structure: enzymes and haemoglobin Enzyme action and the rate of reaction Blood clotting and first aid Enzymes and inhibitors in medicine Blood donation and stored blood products

Nucleic Acids

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Patterns of Inheritance

Topic overview Monogenic inheritance and genetic terminology Gene mutations and inherited disease Codominance, multiple alleles and linkage Model organisms, dihybrid crosses and the chi-squared test Chromosome mutations and genetic counselling

Population Genetics and Epigenetics

Topic overview Natural selection, sickle cell and malaria The Hardy-Weinberg principle Genetic drift, the founder effect and speciation Epigenetics and gene expression

Gene Technologies

Topic overview Post-Transcriptional Editing of mRNA Genetic modification of bacteria and insulin production The polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis Haplotypes, SNPs, VNTRs and genetic engineering in eukaryotes Gene therapy and RNA interference

The Principles and Importance of Homeostasis

Topic overview Homeostatic principles, normal ranges and feedback The nervous and hormonal control of heart rate The control of body temperature and the role of thyroxine Measuring core body temperature, hypothermia and hyperthermia

The Hormonal Control of Blood Glucose and the Management of Diabetes

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Kidney Functions and Malfunctions

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Respiratory Diseases and Treatment

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Cellular Respiration

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Metabolism and Exercise

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Pathogenic Microorganisms

Topic overview How pathogens cause communicable disease Tuberculosis HIV, AIDS and the structure of the virus Identifying bacteria: Gram staining and culture Epidemiology: incidence, prevalence and mortality Notifiable diseases and the control of HIV and TB

The Immune System

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Controlling Communicable Diseases

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Photosynthesis, Food Production and Management of the Environment

Topic overview Chloroplast ultrastructure and photosynthetic pigments The light-dependent stage of photosynthesis The Calvin cycle Investigating the factors affecting photosynthesis The Hill reaction and DCPIP Using TP and GP to build carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids The compensation point and crop production Microorganisms, the nitrogen cycle and biosensors Biomass transfer and efficiency in food production Ruminants in the human food chain Farms as ecosystems and the conflict with conservation Deflected succession and measuring biodiversity

The Impact of Population Increase

Topic overview Birth rate, death rate and demographic change Human impact on ecosystems and biodiversity The importance and measurement of species biodiversity Global food security and sustainable food production

Planning and Implementing Practical Work

Topic overview Designing an investigation and controlling variables Choosing apparatus and judging whether a method will work Implementing: apparatus, units and recording results

Analysing and Evaluating Practical Results

Topic overview Processing and interpreting experimental results Mathematical skills for analysing biological data Significant figures and reporting values Plotting and interpreting graphs Anomalies, limitations and refining a procedure Precision, accuracy and uncertainty

Practical Skills, Apparatus and Techniques

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Fertility and Assisted Reproduction

Topic overview The urinogenital systems and gonad histology Gametogenesis and the structure of the gametes Hormonal control of gametogenesis and the menstrual cycle Fertilisation and pregnancy testing The causes and issues of infertility Assisted reproduction techniques

The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System

Topic overview Ageing and the female reproductive system Managing the menopause Ageing and the male urinogenital system

Plant Reproduction

Topic overview The control of flowering Adaptations of flowers for pollination Fertilisation, seed formation and germination Cereals as staple foods

The Nervous System and the Identification and Consequences of Damage

Topic overview Organisation of the nervous system and nervous tissue The structure and function of the human brain The structure of motor, sensory and relay neurones Resting potential and the action potential Synapses and the integration of responses Reflexes, reaction times and their investigation Brain scans and the consequences of nervous system damage Drugs, brain function and dependency

Monitoring Visual Function

Topic overview The structure of the eye The retina and its role as a transducer Assessing visual function by routine eye tests

The Effect of Ageing on the Nervous System

Topic overview Alzheimer's disease: symptoms and causes The effects of ageing on the senses and memory Investigating ageing, reaction times and memory

The Heart and Monitoring Heart Function

Topic overview The need for a mass transport system Structure and dissection of the mammalian heart The cardiac cycle Initiation and coordination of the heartbeat Heart rate, pulse rate and cardiac output Electrocardiograms and emergency cardiac treatment

Transport Systems in Mammals

Topic overview The closed double circulatory system Blood vessels and their microscopic structure Tissue fluid and capillary exchange Measuring and interpreting blood pressure

Gas Exchange in Mammals and Plants

Topic overview Tissues of the mammalian gas exchange system Gas exchange in the alveoli Pulmonary ventilation and lung volumes Expired air resuscitation Gas exchange and stomata in terrestrial plants

Transport Systems in Plants

Topic overview The need for transport systems in plants Vascular tissue in roots, stems and leaves Water uptake and movement through the plant Transpiration and Its Measurement Translocation in the Phloem

The Development of Species: Evolution and Classification

Evidence for classification and DNA barcoding

3 things to know
Components 01, 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on physical and molecular evidence for classification, hominid skull features and the foramen magnum, the limits of fossil evidence, comparing DNA and amino acid sequences, and DNA barcoding with CO1 in animals and rbcL and matK in plants.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Give two reasons why a mitochondrial gene is chosen for barcoding animals.

Key term

Name two kinds of evidence used to classify organisms.

Key term

What features of a fossil hominid skull are compared when it is being classified?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Name two kinds of evidence used to classify organisms.
Model answer
Observable physical features, such as those preserved in fossils, and molecular evidence, such as DNA base sequences and protein amino acid sequences.
2
What features of a fossil hominid skull are compared when it is being classified?
Model answer
Features such as the cranial capacity, the size of the brow ridge, the shape of the jaw and teeth and the position of the foramen magnum are compared with those of other species.
3
Why is the position of the foramen magnum informative in a hominid fossil?
Model answer
A foramen magnum set forwards under the skull shows that the head was balanced on top of a vertical spine, which is evidence that the animal walked upright on two legs.
4
Give one limitation of fossil evidence in the classification of hominids.
Model answer
The fossil record is incomplete and specimens are often only fragments, so a species may be defined on very few bones and then reinterpreted when further material is found.
5
How is DNA used to judge how closely two species are related?
Model answer
The base sequences of the same gene are compared in the two species, and the fewer the differences between them, the more recently they shared a common ancestor.
6
Why can the amino acid sequence of a protein also be used as evidence of relatedness?
Model answer
The amino acid sequence is determined by the base sequence of the gene coding for it, so differences between species reflect the mutations that have accumulated since they diverged.

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The Developing Cell: Cell Division and Cell Differentiation

The Developing Individual: Meiosis, Growth and Development

The Development of Species: Evolution and Classification

Cells and Microscopy

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ABrain tissue is metabolically expensive.

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