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Key Terms


Multiregional Evolution (MRE) model  The hypothesis that Homo sapiens is about 2 million years old and that modern human traits evolved in geographically diverse locations and then spread through the species. Compare with Recent African Origin model.
Out-of-Africa model  Another name for the Recent African Origin model.
Recent African Origin (RAO) model  The hypothesis that Homo sapiens recently evolved as a separate species in Africa and then spread to replace more archaic populations. Compare with Multiregional Evolution model.
nuclear DNA  The genetic material in the nucleus of a cell.
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)  The genetic material found in the cell’s mitochondria rather than in the cell’s nucleus. The mtDNA does not play a role in inheritance and thus may give a more accurate measure of the genetic differences among populations.
symbiosis  "An adaptive relationship between two different species, often, but not necessarily, of mutual benefit."
endogamy  Restricting marriage to members of the same culturally defined group.







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