Biology- Human Evolution

Question 1

Key features of Humans

Answer 1

complex reasoning, learn, make/use sophisticated tools, use complex language, large brain relative to body size, hands capable of fine manipulation and coordination, bipedal (walk upright)

Question 2

Homo sapiens

Answer 2

Humans

Evolved 200,000 years ago in east Asia

Question 3

PRIMATES

Answer 3

A group of relatively large-brained, mostly arboreal, mammals that includes prosimians, monkeys, apes and humans

Question 4

PROSIMIAN

Answer 4

A group of primates that includes lemurs, lorises and tarsiers
- large eyes, nocturnal, long tails more primitive

Question 5

ANTHROPOID

Answer 5

• the group of primates that includes monkeys, apes and humans
• diurnal, eat fruit and leaves, enlarged brain, enhanced senses, live in complex social groups and care for young for long periods
• Anthropoid group split into 2 groups, the monkeys and apes (or hominoids).

Question 6

MONKEYS

Answer 6

evolved first in Africa and Asia (Old World – baboons, macaques) then some migrated to C. and S. America (New World –capuchin, howler and squirrel monkeys – smaller, tree-dwelling)

Question 7

APES (HOMINOIDS)

Answer 7

lack tails, larger more developed brains, include lesser apes (gibbons), and great apes or HOMINIDS (orangutan, chimpanzee, and gorilla and humans)

Question 8

Hominid

Answer 8

Humans, recent ancestors and great apes

Question 9

Hominin

Answer 9

ONLY mans ancestors

Question 10

Hominoid

Answer 10

Human like (apes and monkeys)

Question 11

Chimpanzees

Answer 11

are our closest living relatives (recent common ancester around 6 mya) according to genomes (share ~98.8% of genome, both differ by ~1.6% from gorillas).

Question 12

Humans and our direct ancestors are….

Answer 12

HOMININS: species that arose after the split from the chimp (large brain size and bipedal)

Question 13

Examples of hominins:
Sahelanthropus tchadensis (6 – 7 mya)

Answer 13

ape and human-like features, small brain, maybe upright (hole where spinal cord exits cranium), possibly related to both chimps and humans but not ancestor to either

Question 14

Examples of hominins:
Australopithecus afarensis (3.4 mya) “Lucy”

Answer 14

ape-like features (face, small brain, long and strong arms, curved fingers), small canine teeth, simple stone tools, regularly walked upright (bipedal), consumed meat

Question 15

Examples of hominins:
Homo habilis (2 mya)

Answer 15

• one of 1st members of our genus, made stone axes and large cutting tools (allowing for increased meat in diet), “Handy Man”
• Use of fire (1.5 mya) and hearths (790,000 ya) for cooking, reducing disease and increasing variety of foods

Question 16

Examples of hominins:

Homo erectus

Answer 16

lived 1.9 m – 143,000 ya) – first with body proportions like modern humans (longer legs, shorter arms, less tree climbing, more walking/running), 1st species to leave Africa (into Asia, maybe Europe)

Question 17

Examples of hominins:
Homo heidelbergensis (700,000 – 200,000 ya) –

Answer 17

large brain size, first to live in colder climates, hunt large animals and create shelters,possible ancestor to modern humans and Neanderthals

Question 18

Examples of hominins:
Homo neanderthalensis (lived 300,000 - 40,000 ya)

Answer 18

large brained, short and powerfully built, adapted to cold, used sophisticated tools, lived in shelters, wore clothing, were skilled hunters, made symbolic/ornamental objects, buried dead and marked graves

Question 19

why are Neanderthals extinct?

Answer 19

Humans were different and superior enough to have an edge over Neanderthals
Examples:
- Climate change wiping out most individuals in Europe, leaving other human populations in Africa to recolonize Europe
- Violent conflict
- Disease
- Absorption of Neanderthals through inbreeding (genetic similarity)