Page 81 - CB1.3 Genetic Varation sciPAD

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CB 1.3 GENETIC VARIATION
USING KNOWLEDGE OF GENETICS
New Zealand
Vanuatu
Papua New
Guinea
Solomon
Islands
Fiji
Tonga
Cook
Islands
Samoa
Pitcairn
Island
Rapa Nui
(Easter Island) Chile
Peru
Society
Islands
Hawaii
New
Caledonia
Marquesas
3000 BP
3000 BP
3500 BP
3000 BP
2500 BP
1100 BP
800 BP
900 BP
South East
Asia
5000 BP
900 BP
Key
Simplistic representation of mtDNA mutation
Years before present (BP)
1200 BP
Simplistic Representation of mtDNA mutations and Pacific Migration
The diagram shows a very simplistic representation of the mtDNA found in various populations. Each coloured
square represents a certain mutation found in mtDNA. Populations that are related to each share some of the same
mutations. These shared mutations can be used to show the origin of founding populations. As time progresses,
populations can develop further mutations (represented with additional boxes and colours) that differentiate them
from their ancestors.
Refer to the diagram to answers the following questions.
2. What do the coloured boxes represent? 

3. Using the coloured boxes, describe why South-East Asia is likely to be the point from where
Polynesians started their migration across the Pacific. 



4. The Wairau Bar, or Te Pokohiwi, is a large gravel bar formed where the Wairau River meets
the sea in Cloudy Bay, Marlborough. Archeological evidence shows the presence of a
significant village, believed to be the earliest known human settlement in New Zealand.
Over 45 burial sites are located there. Human-made objects found at these sites are similar
to artefacts from the Cook, Society and Marquesas islands.
Explain how this evidence, combined with the mtDNA evidence shown above, strongly
suggests that the location of Hawaiki is likely to be within the area covered by the circle.








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