Anthropology Exam #1 Flashcards
What is a primate?
Mammals (2 types):
- Monotremes (lay eggs)
- Therians (live birth)
What are 3 major categories of traits useful in characterizing the primate order?
- Morphological Traits
- Life History/Patterns
- Sociability & Flexibility
What is Primate Pattern?
> Set of Traits
>General Tendencies
State 3 Morphological Traits.
- Hands & Feet
- Dentition
- Senses & the Brain
Name Hands & Feet characteristics.
> 5 digits (fingers)
Prehensility
Opposable Thumb
Nails not claws
What is Prehensility?
The ability to grasp.
What does “opposable” mean?
Operates independently.
Name two types of grips.
- Power Grip
2. Precision Grip
What does it mean to have a prehensile tail?
Can grip/grasp with tail.
Name Dentition characteristics.
> Retained primitive dental characteristics
>Reduced number of teeth
What are primitive dental characteristics?
4 types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, & molars.
What is a “tooth comb” an example of?
A specialization; this is a primitive trait in species.
What is the dental formula?
The number of each kind of tooth is given for one-quarter of the mouth.
What is the dental formula for a general mammal?
3.1.4.3
What is the dental formula for a human?
2.1.2.3
What are 4 features of the category of Senses & the Brain?
- Enhanced Vision
- Color Vision
- Olfaction
- Expanded Primitive Brains
Describe the components that contribute to a primates enhanced vision.
Forward facing eyes + overlapping fields of vision = stereoscopic vision.
What does stereoscopic vision contribute to?
Depth perception
What is a post-orbital bar? (describe)
A bony ring around the eye.
What type of vision do most primates have?
Color vision
What is color vision?
The ability to differentiate different wavelengths of light.
Name & describe 3 types of views (hint: -chromatic)
- Monochromatic: no greens, blues, or reds.
- Dichromatic: only blues & greens
- Trichromatic: blues, greens, and reds.
What is the most common view amongst mammals?
Dichromatic
What are opsins?
Color receptors in the eyes located on the surface of the cones in the retina of the eye.