Final answer:
Denisovans, Neanderthals, and anatomically modern humans interbred, contributing to the genetic diversity of present-day human populations. The hybrid known as Denisova 11 epitomizes this genetic mingling. Denisovan and Neanderthal DNA is present in varying amounts in different human populations today.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of human evolution has revealed that Denisovans, an archaic hominin group, interbred with anatomically modern humans (AMH) and Neanderthals (N). This interbreeding occurred over several periods and contributed genetic diversity to modern human populations. Denisova 11 or “Denny” is a notable specimen, being a first-generation hybrid with a Denisovan father and a Neanderthal mother. This finding supports the evidence that late Pleistocene Homo species intermingled genetically. While most modern-day Europeans and Asians have around 1-4 percent of Neanderthal DNA, the presence of Denisovan DNA varies, with some Pacific Islander populations potentially having DNA from an unidentified archaic hominin, which is often referred to as a “ghost population.” Moreover, nuclear DNA studies suggest a closer relation between Denisovans and Neanderthals as compared to modern humans, and some of these genes have been identified in modern populations, highlighting a complex history of interbreeding among these groups.