Anatomy and Physiolgy: Critical Thinking

Factual Questions
1

I am working on a question on a worksheet for A&P for a college course. I am stumped. Hopefully someone can get this critical thinking question.

Archaeologists discover skeletal remains of humans in Ethiopia. Examination of the bone suggests that the remains represent four types of individuals. Two of the skeletons have bone densities that are 30% less than those of the other two skeletons. The skeletons with the lower bone mass also have broader front pelvic bones. Within the two groups defined by the bone mass, smaller skeletons have bones with evidence of epiphyseal plates, but the larger skeletons have only a thin line where the epiphyseal plates should be. Give the age group and gender of the four individuals in this find.
Answer:

I assume that two of the skeletons are woman with the bone density less than 30%. And two have broader front pelvic bones.
I’m stumped
Can you help
Thanks

2

So I’m taking it you would like help understanding the question, as opposed to getting answers to the question; Yes? (since we aren’t supposed to help with homework problems)

This is how I take it. THere are 4 skeletons.

two have lower bone densities and broader pelvis than the other two.

Of those two with the lower bone density, one is smaller than the other…it has epiphyseal plates.

Of those two with the higher bone density, one in smaller than the other…it also has epiphyseal plates

The two larger skeletons (one low bone density, one higer bone density) don’t have the plates, only a thin line.

Does that help

Sigene (anthropology degreed, former A&P teacher, now in a totally different field)

3

Wikipedia has a short page on Epiphyseal Plates. When you have read it, you’ll know what they indicate about the person whose bones they were.

4

We’re not going to do your homework for you, but if you’re merely confused as to the wording of the problem, I think Sigene nailed it.

Four skeletons.
Two have lower bone mass and a broader pelvic bones.
One of the ones with lower bone mass, one is smaller and has an epiphyseal plate, the other just has a small line.
Of the two with larger bone mass, one is smaller and has an epiphyseal plate, the other just has a small line.

5

Thanks, for the help everyone, I was having trouble with the wording of the question, I kept getting my facts mixed up, but you laid it on the line. It is kind of like an algebra question, and I hate algebra.

6

This was a brain teaser
Thanks