Question

Which of the following conclusions have NOT been reached concerning variability in Native American mtDNA?

a. These populations were derived from a single northeastern Asian population.
b. There were 4-5 founding maternal lineages.
c. The populations were the result of multiple migrations starting 20,000 years ago.
d. The populations were the result of one migration ca. 20,000 years ago.
e. The physical traits shared by modern Native Americans are a produce of founder effect.

Answer 1

e. The physical traits shared by modern Native Americans are a produce of founder effect. A conclusion that has NOT been reached is that Native American populations resulted from one migration around 20,000 years ago; research shows multiple migrations and a complex history linked to northeastern Siberia.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of the question concerns the variability in Native American mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA), and the different conclusions reached from the studies of population prehistory in the Americas. A conclusion that has NOT been reached regarding this subject is that the populations were the result of only one migration approximately 20,000 years ago.Modern research has discovered a complex history of human migration into the Americas, which includes evidence for multiple migrations and genetic links to populations in northeastern Siberia. These migrations are thought to have taken place over a period that may have started as early as 25,000 years ago. This contradicts the idea that a single migration event around 20,000 years ago was responsible for the genetic diversity observed in current Native American populations.

Additionally, the shared physical traits of modern Native Americans are indeed a result of the founder effect, which occurred due to a small number of individuals giving rise to the genetic diversity present in later populations. This closely aligns with the conclusion that there were 4-5 founding maternal lineages, as stated in the question.The correct answer is e. The physical traits shared by modern Native Americans are a product of the founder effect. The founder effect occurs when a small group of individuals establish a new population, leading to a loss of genetic variation compared to the original population. This can result in the prevalence of certain physical traits in the new population. In the context of Native American mtDNA, studies have not reached the conclusion that the physical traits shared by modern Native Americans are solely a product of the founder effect.