Genome sequencing of our human ancestor, Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis), revealed that Neanderthals have a FOXP2 gene with the same two amino acid changes observed in H. sapiens FOXP2. What can be concluded based on this finding? (Check all that apply)

Question

_____  Neanderthals evolved from H. sapiens.
_____  H. sapiens evolved from Neanderthals.
_____  Neanderthals may have had the ability to use language.
_____ These two amino acid changes arose prior to the common ancestor of Neanderthals and H. sapiens.
_____  Verbal speech was impossible for Neanderthals.

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?

Gather Content
· What do you already know about FOXP2?
 
Consider Possibilities
· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?
 
Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
 

Answer 1

_____  Neanderthals evolved from H. sapiens.
_____  H. sapiens evolved from Neanderthals.
__X__  Neanderthals may have had the ability to use language.
__X__  These two amino acid changes arose prior to the common ancestor of Neanderthals and H. sapiens.
_____  Verbal speech was impossible for Neanderthals.

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question addresses FOXP2.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is asking you to analyze the information given, using logic, to dissect the problem and determine the answer.
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?
        o Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) are an extinct close relative of humans.
        o H. sapiens is the abbreviation for Homo sapiens – the modern human species.
        o FOXP2 is a transcription factor gene that functions to develop centers for spoken language in the brain.
 
Gather Content
· What do you already know about FOXP2?
        o FOXP2 is a transcription factor that controls the expression of other genes.
        o It is expressed in the brain.
        o The gene is found in other primates and mammals, but humans have a special version of the sequence that is thought to be essential for spoken language.
 
Consider Possibilities
· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?
        o Can you conclude that Neanderthals evolved from H. sapiens? No, sharing a gene does not indicate that one species evolved from another.
        o Can you conclude that H. sapiens evolved from Neanderthals? No, sharing a gene does not indicate that one species evolved from another.
        o Can you conclude that verbal speech was impossible for Neanderthals? No, if anything the presence of the shared gene suggests the opposite.
 
Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o Can you conclude that Neanderthals may have had the ability to use language? Yes, but emphasis on “may”. We know that FOXP2 seems to be essential for human spoken language, but we don’t know what other genes are necessary.
        o Can you conclude that these two amino acid changes arose prior to the common ancestor of Neanderthals and H. sapiens? Yes, that is the most parismonious explanation for the shared sequence.
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o This question asked what you can conclude from the fact that Neanderthals had the same “human” version of the gene FOXP2.
        o The question required you to analyze the information given, using logic, to dissect the problem and determine the answer.
        o Did you recognize that the shared FOXP2 suggests that it arose before the common ancestor of humans and Neanderthals?
        o Did you recognize that this gene suggests – but does not prove – that Neanderthals may have had language?