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Total Categories: 6
Denisova Cave is located in the Ural Mountains, approximately 50 kilometers south of Barnaul.
Answer: False
Denisova Cave is located in the Altai Mountains of Siberia, Russia, approximately 150 kilometers south of Barnaul, not the Ural Mountains.
Denisova Cave is composed of three main sections: the Main Gallery, the East Gallery, and the West Gallery.
Answer: False
Denisova Cave is composed of the Main Gallery, the East Gallery, and the South Gallery, not the West Gallery.
Scientific exploration of Denisova Cave began in the 1970s, leading to the identification of 22 distinct geological strata.
Answer: True
Scientific exploration of Denisova Cave indeed began in the 1970s, and these investigations led to the identification of 22 distinct geological strata containing archaeological artifacts.
The archaeological artifacts in Denisova Cave span a period from the 18th century to approximately 50,000 years ago.
Answer: False
The archaeological artifacts in Denisova Cave span a period from the 18th century back to approximately 125,000–180,000 years ago, not just 50,000 years ago.
Thermoluminescence dating of sediments and radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples were the primary methods used to date the archaeological strata in Denisova Cave.
Answer: True
Thermoluminescence dating of sediments was the primary method, supplemented by radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples, to establish the chronology of the archaeological strata in Denisova Cave.
The stable, warm environment within Denisova Cave has been crucial for preserving ancient DNA.
Answer: False
The consistent average annual temperature of 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), a cold environment, has been crucial for preserving ancient DNA in Denisova Cave.
Denisova Cave is situated approximately 28 meters (92 feet) above the right bank of which river?
Answer: Anuy River
Denisova Cave is situated approximately 28 meters (92 feet) above the right bank of the Anuy River, a left tributary of the Ob River.
What is the approximate total floor area of Denisova Cave?
Answer: 270 square meters (2,900 square feet)
Denisova Cave has a total floor area of approximately 270 square meters (2,900 square feet).
Who was Denisova Cave named after?
Answer: An Old Believer hermit named Dyonisiy who inhabited it in the 18th century.
Denisova Cave was named after Dyonisiy, an Old Believer hermit who inhabited the cave during the 18th century.
When did systematic scientific exploration of Denisova Cave primarily begin?
Answer: 1970s
Systematic scientific exploration of Denisova Cave began in the 1970s with the discovery of paleoarchaeological remains by Russian scientists.
The archaeological artifacts in Denisova Cave span a period from the 18th century back to approximately how many years ago?
Answer: 125,000–180,000 years ago
The archaeological artifacts found in Denisova Cave span a period from the 18th century back to approximately 125,000–180,000 years ago.
Which dating method was primarily used for sediments in Denisova Cave?
Answer: Thermoluminescence dating
Thermoluminescence dating of sediments was the primary method used to date the archaeological strata in Denisova Cave.
What environmental factor in Denisova Cave has been crucial for the preservation of ancient DNA?
Answer: Consistent average annual temperature of 0 degrees Celsius
The consistent average annual temperature of 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) within Denisova Cave has been crucial for the preservation of ancient DNA.
The primary significance of Denisova Cave lies in its well-preserved cave paintings, which depict early human hunting scenes.
Answer: False
The primary significance of Denisova Cave is the discovery of the Denisova hominin species, not cave paintings.
The initial discovery leading to the identification of the Denisova hominin was a child's skull fragment.
Answer: False
The initial discovery that led to the identification of the Denisova hominin was a piece of a child's phalanx (finger bone), not a skull fragment.
Svante Pääbo and his colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology conducted the genetic analysis of the Denisova hominin.
Answer: True
Svante Pääbo and his team from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology were indeed responsible for the genetic analysis of the Denisova hominin.
The mitochondrial DNA of the Denisova hominin revealed a genetic structure identical to early *Homo sapiens*.
Answer: False
The mitochondrial DNA of the Denisova hominin revealed a genetic structure distinct from known human patterns, indicating a previously unknown hominin lineage, not one identical to early *Homo sapiens*.
Denisovans interbred with the ancestors of modern Europeans, but not with other modern human populations.
Answer: False
Genetic analysis shows that Denisovans interbred with the ancestors of modern Melanesians, not specifically modern Europeans.
As of June 2025, Denisovans were confirmed to be *Homo longi*, with *Homo denisova* considered a junior synonym.
Answer: True
As of June 2025, the scientific classification of Denisovans was confirmed as *Homo longi*, with *Homo denisova* being a junior synonym.
What is the primary significance of Denisova Cave in the fields of paleoarchaeology and paleontology?
Answer: It provided the first conclusive evidence of the Denisova hominin species.
Denisova Cave's primary significance stems from the discovery and identification of the distinct Denisova hominin species, offering crucial insights into ancient human populations.
What was the initial fossil discovery that led to the identification of the Denisova hominin?
Answer: A piece of a child's phalanx (finger bone)
The initial fossil discovery that led to the identification of the Denisova hominin was a piece of a child's phalanx (finger bone).
Which institution was primarily involved in the genetic analysis of the Denisova hominin?
Answer: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, with Svante Pääbo and his colleagues, was primarily involved in the genetic analysis of the Denisova hominin.
Denisovans are genetically related to Neanderthals and also interbred with the ancestors of which modern human population?
Answer: Melanesians
Genetic analysis indicates that Denisovans interbred with the ancestors of modern Melanesians.
As of June 2025, what is the confirmed scientific classification of Denisovans?
Answer: Homo longi
As of June 2025, Denisovans were confirmed to be *Homo longi*, with *Homo denisova* considered a junior synonym.
According to Svante Pääbo, Denisova Cave is the only known location where Denisovans, Neanderthals, and *Homo sapiens* are confirmed to have lived at one time or another.
Answer: True
Svante Pääbo states that Denisova Cave is unique as the only known site where Denisovans, Neanderthals, and *Homo sapiens* are confirmed to have occupied the area at different periods.
The Altai Neanderthal toe bone was used to obtain the first high-coverage genome of *Homo sapiens*.
Answer: False
The Altai Neanderthal toe bone was used to obtain the first high-coverage genome of Neanderthals, not *Homo sapiens*.
The Altai Neanderthal is estimated to be around 50,000 years old, making it one of the youngest Neanderthal specimens found.
Answer: False
The Altai Neanderthal is estimated to be around 120,000 years old, which is an older, more divergent lineage compared to many other Neanderthal specimens.
The introgression event from Neanderthals into the ancestors of modern humans likely occurred before the Altai Neanderthal lineage split from other Neanderthal populations.
Answer: False
The introgression event from Neanderthals into the ancestors of modern humans likely occurred after the Altai Neanderthal lineage had already split from other Neanderthal populations.
The Denisova 11 specimen was initially identified as a human bone fragment using traditional morphological analysis.
Answer: False
The Denisova 11 specimen was initially identified using collagen peptide mass fingerprinting (ZooMS), not traditional morphological analysis.
Whole genome sequencing of Denisova 11 revealed it was a first-generation hybrid of a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father.
Answer: True
Whole genome sequencing of Denisova 11 indeed confirmed it was a first-generation hybrid, with a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father.
Denisova 11 is a long bone fragment significant for being the first identified *Homo sapiens* fossil in Denisova Cave.
Answer: False
Denisova 11 is significant for being the first identified first-generation hybrid of a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father, not a *Homo sapiens* fossil.
According to Svante Pääbo, which three distinct human forms are confirmed to have lived in Denisova Cave at different times?
Answer: Denisovans, Neanderthals, Homo sapiens
Svante Pääbo confirmed that Denisovans, Neanderthals, and *Homo sapiens* are the three distinct human forms known to have inhabited Denisova Cave at various times.
What type of bone was discovered in 2010 in Denisova Cave and later confirmed to belong to a Neanderthal (Altai Neanderthal)?
Answer: Toe bone
A toe bone, discovered in 2010 in Denisova Cave, was later confirmed to belong to a Neanderthal, known as the Altai Neanderthal.
What significant genetic achievement was made using the Altai Neanderthal toe bone?
Answer: The first high-coverage genome of Neanderthals.
The Altai Neanderthal toe bone was used to obtain the first high-coverage genome of Neanderthals, providing extensive genetic data.
The Altai Neanderthal is estimated to be around how many years old?
Answer: 120,000 years old
The Altai Neanderthal is estimated to be approximately 120,000 years old, based on molecular clock analysis of its mitochondrial DNA.
The introgression event from Neanderthals into modern human ancestors likely occurred at what point relative to the Altai Neanderthal lineage?
Answer: After the Altai Neanderthal lineage had already split from other Neanderthal populations.
Genetic evidence suggests that the introgression event from Neanderthals into modern human ancestors occurred after the Altai Neanderthal lineage had diverged from other Neanderthal populations.
What technique was used to initially identify the Denisova 11 specimen (DC1227) as a hominin bone fragment?
Answer: Collagen peptide mass fingerprinting (ZooMS)
The Denisova 11 specimen was initially identified as a hominin bone fragment using collagen peptide mass fingerprinting (ZooMS).
What did whole genome sequencing reveal about the parentage of Denisova 11?
Answer: It was a first-generation hybrid of a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father.
Whole genome sequencing of Denisova 11 revealed it to be a first-generation hybrid, with a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father.
What did the genetic analysis of Denisova 11's mother suggest about Neanderthal populations in the region?
Answer: She was genetically closer to Neanderthal specimens from Vindija Cave, suggesting migration or population turnover.
Genetic analysis of Denisova 11's mother indicated a closer genetic relationship to Neanderthal specimens from Vindija Cave, suggesting potential migration or population turnover among Neanderthal groups in the region.
Seven distinct hominin individuals have been identified through DNA from Denisova Cave, all of whom are classified as Denisovans.
Answer: False
While seven distinct hominin individuals have been identified, only five are classified as Denisovans; one is a Neanderthal, and one is a Neanderthal/Denisovan hybrid.
Denisova 2 and Denisova 3 are identified as young male Denisovans, while Denisova 4 and Denisova 8 are adult females.
Answer: False
Denisova 2 and Denisova 3 are identified as young females, while Denisova 4 and Denisova 8 are adult males.
Based on mitochondrial DNA analysis, Denisova 2 is considered the oldest Denisovan individual identified from Denisova Cave.
Answer: True
Mitochondrial DNA analysis indicates that Denisova 2 is indeed the oldest Denisovan individual identified from Denisova Cave.
Denisova 3, also known as X Woman, is a skull fragment that was partially destroyed for mitochondrial DNA investigation.
Answer: False
Denisova 3, or X Woman, is a finger phalanx (finger bone), not a skull fragment, and one piece was partially destroyed for mitochondrial DNA investigation.
Denisova 4 is an upper molar whose size and shape indicated it belonged to a Neanderthal.
Answer: False
The size and shape of Denisova 4, an upper molar, indicated that it belonged to neither a Neanderthal nor *Homo sapiens*, but rather a distinct hominin group.
The Altai Neanderthal (Denisova 5) was initially estimated to be 30–50 thousand years old, but later molecular clock analysis suggested an age of approximately 120,000 years.
Answer: True
The Altai Neanderthal (Denisova 5) was initially estimated to be 30–50 thousand years old, but subsequent molecular clock analysis revised its age to approximately 120,000 years.
Denisova 2, Denisova 4, and Denisova 8 yielded high-coverage genomes for DNA sequencing.
Answer: False
Denisova 2, Denisova 4, and Denisova 8 yielded low-coverage genomes, while Denisova 3, Denisova 25, and the Altai Neanderthal yielded high-coverage genomes.
Denisova 25 is a male Denisovan individual identified from a molar, estimated to be approximately 200,000 years old.
Answer: True
Denisova 25 is indeed a male Denisovan individual identified from a molar, with an estimated age of approximately 200,000 years old.
How many distinct hominin individuals have been identified through DNA from Denisova Cave?
Answer: Seven
The DNA of seven distinct hominin individuals has been identified from Denisova Cave, including Denisovans, a Neanderthal, and a hybrid.
Which of the following Denisovan individuals are identified as young females?
Answer: Denisova 2 and Denisova 3
Denisova 2 and Denisova 3 are identified as young female Denisovans.
Which Denisovan individual is considered the oldest based on mitochondrial DNA analysis?
Answer: Denisova 2
Based on mitochondrial DNA analysis, Denisova 2 is considered the oldest Denisovan individual identified from Denisova Cave.
DNA analysis of soil samples in Denisova Cave has only provided evidence of hominin presence in layers where fossils were also found.
Answer: False
DNA analysis of soil samples has provided evidence of Neanderthal and Denisovan mitochondrial DNA in layers where no hominin fossils were found, extending the known presence of these groups.
*Equus ovodovi* is an extinct species of horse identified in Denisova Cave, which is phylogenetically closer to modern domestic horses than to zebras.
Answer: False
*Equus ovodovi* is phylogenetically positioned as a basal group for non-caballine horses, with closer genetic ties to modern zebras and asses than to domestic horses.
Remnants of only large mammals like woolly mammoths and cave lions have been found in Denisova Cave sediments.
Answer: False
In addition to large mammals, remnants of 39 species of small mammals, reptiles, 50 bird species, and other vertebrates have been identified from Denisova Cave sediments.
Pollen found in Denisova Cave sediments is primarily used to identify ancient plant species for botanical studies.
Answer: False
Pollen preserved in Denisova Cave sediments is primarily used for palaeoclimatological research to reconstruct past climates and environments, not solely for botanical studies.
How has DNA analysis of soil samples expanded our understanding of hominin presence in Denisova Cave?
Answer: It provided evidence of Neanderthal and Denisovan mtDNA in layers without hominin fossils.
DNA analysis of soil samples has provided evidence of Neanderthal and Denisovan mitochondrial DNA in layers where no hominin fossils were found, thus expanding our understanding of their presence.
*Equus ovodovi* is phylogenetically positioned as a basal group for which type of horses?
Answer: Non-caballine horses
*Equus ovodovi* is phylogenetically positioned as a basal group for non-caballine horses, indicating closer genetic ties to modern zebras and asses.
Mousterian- and Levallois-style tools found in Denisova Cave are typically attributed to early *Homo sapiens*.
Answer: False
Mousterian- and Levallois-style tools found in Denisova Cave are typically attributed to Neanderthals, not early *Homo sapiens*.
A seven-centimeter sewing needle made from bird bone, estimated to be around 50,000 years old, was discovered in Denisova Cave.
Answer: True
A seven-centimeter sewing needle crafted from bird bone, estimated to be approximately 50,000 years old, was indeed discovered in Denisova Cave.
The 45,000-year-old cave lion figurine found in Denisova Cave was carved from a reindeer antler.
Answer: False
The 45,000-year-old cave lion figurine discovered in Denisova Cave was carved from a woolly mammoth tusk, not a reindeer antler.
A deer tooth pendant found in Denisova Cave provided genetic evidence of an Ancient North Eurasian woman, related to individuals found further east in Siberia.
Answer: True
A deer tooth pendant from Denisova Cave yielded genetic material from an Ancient North Eurasian woman, who was found to be closely related to specimens from Mal'ta and Afontova Gora in eastern Siberia.
Mousterian- and Levallois-style tools found in Denisova Cave are typically attributed to which hominin species?
Answer: Neanderthals
Mousterian- and Levallois-style tools, found in Denisova Cave, are typically attributed to Neanderthals.
What material was the 50,000-year-old sewing needle from Denisova Cave made from?
Answer: Bird bone
The 50,000-year-old sewing needle discovered in Denisova Cave was crafted from bird bone.
What material was the 45,000-year-old cave lion figurine discovered in Denisova Cave carved from?
Answer: Woolly mammoth tusk
The 45,000-year-old cave lion figurine found in Denisova Cave was carved from a woolly mammoth tusk.
What artifact found in Denisova Cave provided direct genetic evidence of an Ancient North Eurasian woman?
Answer: A deer tooth pendant
A deer tooth pendant found in Denisova Cave provided direct genetic evidence of an Ancient North Eurasian woman.