Chapter 11

Question 1

Categorising humans

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Taxas

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Mammals

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Key characteristics of mammals.

Answer 4

• 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.

Question 5

Primates

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Primates key characteristics

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Hominoids

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Hominoids key characteristics

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Hominins

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Hominins key characteristics

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Hominin Evolution.

Answer 11

• 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.

Question 12

Structural differences between us and our early ancestors.

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Difficulties interpreting the evolutionary history

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Did we interbreed with neanderthals?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Neanderthal characteristics

Answer 15

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

Question 16

New hominin species:

Answer 16

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

Question 17

How Homeo sapiens spread

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Out of Africa

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Multiregional hypothesis

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Aboriginals’ connection to the country

Answer 20

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.