PRINCESTONE-HOMO SAPIENS

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PRINCESTONE-HOMO SAPIENS

by pradeepkaushal9518 » Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:15 am
There has been a plethora of recently published articles exposing the belief that humans are the evolutionary product of a single female of a primate species forerunning Homo Sapiens, who lived approximately two million years ago. In providing support for this estimated time frame, scientists have noted that since seemingly unrelated humans share, on average, 96 percent of their mitochondrial DNA, they have been able to use the average rate of mitochondrial DNA mutation to extrapolate the length of time that has elapsed since this common female ancestor lived.

Which of the following, if true, provides the most support for the scientist's theory?



By using radioactive carbon-dating, scientists have estimated the age of the oldest discovered primate remains to be nearly two million years.



Mitochondrial DNA is found only in the cells of higher primates such as Homo Sapiens.


Mitochondrial DNA mutation rates vary significantly and are dependent upon a variety of environmental factors, especially those that affect radiation levels.


Many people have less than 96 percent of their mitochondrial DNA in common.


The rate of mitochondrial DNA mutation has been determined to be quite consistent and predictable.
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by albatross86 » Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:49 am
Fact 1: Many articles expose belief that humans evolved from a single female of primate species which lived 2 million years ago.
Fact 2: Seemingly unrelated humans share 96% of mitochondrial DNA

=> Average rate of DNA mutation used to extrapolate length of time that has elapsed since this female lived.

The theory is about the relationship between rate of DNA mutation and time since the female lived.

STRENGTHENER:

A. Another method has been used to get that figure. So does that support this method? No.

B. This MDNA is found only in higher primates. So what?

C. MDNA rates vary and depend on many other factors - weakener.

D. Many people have less than 96% MDNA in common - attacks one of the facts the scientists have presupposed - Weakener.

E. The rate of mutation is consistent and predictable. This supports a relation with time and strengthens the theory that the number of years since the female lived can be derived from the rate of mutation.

Pick E.
~Abhay

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by outreach » Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:19 am
+1 for E
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