Chapter 11 Flashcards

1
Q

Categorising humans

A

Homeo sapiens.
Humans belong to the family Hominidae + genus homo.
We are also mammals.

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2
Q

Taxas

A

Categorisation/classification to place species into similar categories - Arranged in hierarchical rank.

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3
Q

Mammals

A

Warm-blooded vertebrates belonging to the taxonomic class Mammalia.
eg. Dogs, Cats, Sheep, Pigs, Whales, Bears.

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4
Q

Key characteristics of mammals.

A
  • Variety of teeth.
  • 3 bones in the middle ear; aid hearing.
  • 1 single lower jawbone.
  • Various amounts of fur on bodies in a lifetime.
  • Mammary gland; produces milk for offspring.
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5
Q

Primates

A

The highest order of mammals; 400 different species share features including opposable digits and binocular vision.
eg. Organutans, Lemurs, Gorillas, Baboons.

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6
Q

Primates key characteristics

A
  • 3D colour vision + forward-facing binocular eyes.
  • Large cranium relative to body weight.
  • Flexible spine + large rotation.
  • Prehensile hands.
  • Sensitive touch receptors in fingerprints.
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7
Q

Hominoids

A

Members of the superfamily Hominoide.
eg. Great apes; orangutangs, chimpanzees, gorillas + humans.

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8
Q

Hominoids key characteristics

A
  • Y5-shaped molar teeth,
  • Broad ribcage.
  • Large cranium.
  • Long arms.
  • No tail.
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9
Q

Hominins

A

Members of the taxonomic tribe Hominini.
eg. Modern humans + upright-walking ancestors.

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10
Q

Hominins key characteristics

A
  • Bipedalism; using 2 legs for walking upright.
  • Structural consequences from bipedalism; eg. broader rib cage, S-shaped spine.
  • Communication + formation of complex social groups.
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11
Q

Hominin Evolution.

A
  • Brain sizes increased; higher cognitive processes; planning, speech + abstract teaching. Evidence was found in the increased cranial capacity in fossil skulls.
  • Shorter arms; increased reliance on bipedal locomotion.
  • Longer legs; make walking upright more efficient.
  • Changes to pelvis size; Shorter + more bow-shaped to support upper body. Also the demand for childbirth; more circular birth canal + narrowing pelvis.
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12
Q

Structural differences between us and our early ancestors.

A
  • More centralised foramen magnum.
  • Shrinking of sagittal crest.
  • Lessening of brow ridge.
  • Flattening of face.
  • Less protruding chin.
  • More domed skull.
  • Smaller teeth.
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13
Q

Difficulties interpreting the evolutionary history

A

The fossil record is far from complete.
- Not all individuals die in conditions that promote fossilisation.
- Rock layers disappear.
- Rock layers are inaccessible; not all fossils are found.

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14
Q

Did we interbreed with neanderthals?

A

Hypothesis:
- Early humans interbred with neanderthals.
mtDNA suggests separate species that share a common ancestor

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15
Q

Neanderthal characteristics

A
  • Wider nose.
  • Shorter limbs.
  • Stockier build.
  • Flared rib cage.
  • Sloping forehead.
  • Enlarged brow ridge.
  • Larger cranial capacity.
  • Better resistance to cold climates.
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16
Q

New hominin species:

A

Homo Denisova; Closely related to Neanderthals; interbred from Melanesia.
Homo luzonensis; Small-bodied hominin ancestor with mixed ancient and modern human traits.

17
Q

How Homeo sapiens spread

A

They first evolved in Africa 4mya.
2-2.25my later they migrated into Europe + Asia.
2 Main hypothesis:
- Out of Africa.
- Multiregional hypothesis.

18
Q

Out of Africa

A

(More evidence)
- Humans first developed/evolved in Africa, before migrating outwards and expanding their colonies, replacing earlier hominins that spread prior.

19
Q

Multiregional hypothesis

A

(Limited evidence)
- Separate human populations evolved independently from earlier hominins that had spread Eurasia and experienced gene flow.

20
Q

Aboriginals’ connection to the country

A

Fundamental to identity.
Country is the reciprocal relationship between individuals and ancestral lands.
- The land provides for the people and the people sustain the land.
- Kinship of country.
- The dreaming; children’s spirits in the landscape.

Out of Africa approach diminishes the traditional viewpoint of first nation communities.