Chapter 6 - An Overview of the Primates

Question 1

primates

Answer 1

Members of the mammalian order Primates (pronounced “pry-may ́-tees”), which includes lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and humans.

Question 2

diurnal

Answer 2

Active during the day.

Question 3

stereoscopic vision

Answer 3

The condition whereby visual images are, to varying degrees, superimposed. This provides for depth perception, or viewing the external environment in three dimensions. Stereoscopic vision is partly a function of structures in the brain.

Question 4

omnivorous

Answer 4

Having a diet consisting of many kinds of food including plants, meat, and insects.

Question 5

neocortex

Answer 5

The more recently evolved portion of the brain that is involved in higher mental functions and composed of areas that integrate incoming sensory information.

Question 6

dental formula

Answer 6

Numerical device that indicates the number of each type of tooth in each side of the upper and lower jaws.

Question 7

brachiation

Answer 7

Arm swinging, a form of locomotion used by some primates. Brachiation involves hanging from a branch and moving by alternately swinging from one arm to the other.

Question 8

quadrupedal

Answer 8

Using all four limbs to support the body during locomotion; the basic mammalian (and primate) form of locomotion.

Question 9

rhinarium

Answer 9

(rine-air ́-ee-um)(Plural: rhinaria) The moist, hairless pad at the end of the nose seen in most mammalian species. The rhinarium enhances an animal’s ability to smell.

Question 10

ischial callosity

Answer 10

Patches of tough, hard skin on the buttocks of Old World monkeys and chimpanzees.