The recent sequencing of the Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalenis) genome in 2010 has revealed 99.7% homology with Homo sapiens. In this interactive mini-workshop, participants examined several physical traits believed to be common in Neanderthals. We discussed the use of genome sequencing services as a personalized learning tool for student engagement in the area of hominin evolution. Participants also worked in groups to make intersecting Venn diagrams with colored acetates that depict genetic overlap among modern humans, Neanderthals, and, an additional hominin group, the Denisovans. The Venn diagrams are based on DNA motifs that are found in the genomes of three hominin species: Homo sapiens, and the archaic Neanderthals and Denisovans. Some of the motifs found in common among all three species were found in regulatory genes for tooth development. Over 60 motifs studied were found in modern humans alone, including genes involved with neurological development. Students that conduct this exercise will first make the Venn diagrams, discuss differences among these hominins, and then answer a questionnaire about phenotypes that they might have in common with Neanderthals. One proposed Neanderthal trait is the decreased likelihood of sneezing after eating dark chocolate. We will test that hypothesis by providing participants with a dark chocolate sample.
Keywords: human evolution, Neanderthal, hominin, denisovan, modern and archaic humans
University of Ottawa (2019)
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