mtDNA analyses suggested that the source population from which the first Americans were derived became isolated from Asian lineages, most likely in____________________,

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks about the geographic region where the source population of the first Americans likely became isolated from Asian lineages, based on mtDNA analyses.
First, consider what mtDNA studies have suggested: during the late Pleistocene, populations migrating from Asia into the Americas would have encountered glacial barriers and might have become separated from their Asian ancestors as they settled in a distinct refugial area.
Option relevance: the most commonly discussed area for such isolation events is a landmass and paleogeographic region known as Eastern Beringia, which includes parts of present-day Alaska and the Yukon during periods when sea levels were lower and the land bridge was exposed. This region served as a corridor and potential reservoir for genetic differentiation between Asian and American lineages.
Why this aligns with the prompt: if the source population became isolated there from Asian lineages, mtDNA would reflect a divergence consistent with a refugial or satellite population in Eastern Beringia rather than continuous contact with Asia.
Why other interpretations might be problematic: since the question provides Eastern Beringia as the likely isolation site, any alternative region would require evidence of continuous gene flow or a different migratory route that preserves genetic similarity to Asian lineages, which mtDNA analyses often fail to support for the earliest Americans.
In summary, Eastern Beringia is a plausible and widely cited region for isolation of the proto-American population from Asian ancestors, given the paleogeography of the Bering Land Bridge and mtDNA divergence patterns observed in early American lineages.

ARCH100 OL01 Final Exam - April 14-20, 2025

mtDNA analyses suggested that the source population from which the first Americans were derived became isolated from Asian lineages, most likely in____________________,

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

A population that is infinitely large and in which mating is completely random is mostly likely to:

Question at position 21 What is the most important determinant of genetic differences between populations of humans across the world?RaceEthnicityGeographic distanceLocal adaptationClear my selection

Question at position 14 Genetic diversity amongst human populations is best explained by __________.cultural differencespopulation sizeethnicityracial categorizesgeographic distanceClear my selection

Question at position 28 In accordance with the "Out-of-Africa" hypothesis, we would expect that _________ populations would have greater genetic diversity.youngeroldersmallerwiserlargerClear my selection

Question at position 19 Genetic diversity amongst human populations is best explained by __________.ethnicityracial categorizescultural differencesgeographic distancepopulation sizeClear my selection

Question at position 15 Genetic diversity amongst human populations is best explained by __________.racial categorizespopulation sizeethnicitygeographic distancecultural differencesClear my selection

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler