Defining Humans (12.1) Flashcards
State what Homo Sapiens is
The Latin term for our species
State what the term ‘Homo sapiens’ translates to
‘Wise man’
State what Homo sapiens are today considered
- widespread
- adaptable
- influential
State what Homo sapiens are classified by the Linnaean system as
Animal kingdom member
Within the Primate order, humans belong to the same ____ as great apes
Family
State what family Homo sapiens belong to
Hominidae
State what all hominids lack
A tail
State what all hominids have in common
Skeletal and structural features
What animals are considered Homo sapiens closest living relatives?
Chimpanzees and Bonobos
State when Homo sapiens last shared common ancestor with Chimpanzees and Bonobos existed
6-8 million years ago
Describe hominids
Member of the family hominidae
Provide the name of oldest known ancestor of modern humans
Sahelanthropus
Provide the geographic range of Homo sapiens
Worldwide
Provide the time range of Homo sapien existence
200 000 years ago - present
State where fossil and genetic evidence places the earliest of our species
In Africa
State where the earliest evidence of anatomically modern humans was found in
Omo Kibish in Ethiopia
State how old the fossils from Omo Kibish were
195,000 years old
State what fossils belonging to the genus Homo are considered
Gracile
Describe gracile
Relatively lightweight skeleton and a more upright bipedal stance
State what relationship evidence from DNA and fossils has shown between Homo sapiens, neanderthalensis and denisovans
All three species coexisted and interbred
Describe the trend in cranial capacity structure over time
Capacity increased from 460 cm3 to 1350 cm3
Describe the trend in brow ridge structure over time
Brow ridge decreased in size
Describe the trend in face shape over time
Faces became flatter
Provide a reason supporting the change in brow ridge structure over time
Increasing size of cranium
Describe the trend in chin structure over time
Homo sapiens are the only hominin species to have evolved a chin
Describe the trend in teeth structure over time
Dental arch changed from U-shape to shorter V-shape
Provide a reason supporting the change in teeth structure over time
Changing hominin diet to more softer, cooked foods
Describe the trend in foramen magnum over time
Foramen magnum became more central
Provide a reason supporting the change in foramen magnum structure over time
Increasing time spent upright
Describe the trend in spine curve over time
From C - S shaped (curves in upper and lower spine)
Describe the trend in rib cage structure over time
Funnel - barrel shaped
Provide a reason supporting the change in spine curve over time
Additional curves supported weight vertically, aiding upright mobility
Provide a reason supporting the change in rib cage structure over time
Barrel-shaped structure helped to maintain upright posture for lengthy periods of time
Describe the trend in arm:leg over time
Arm:Leg decreased over time
Provide a reason supporting the change in arm: leg over time
Legs became increasingly used for bipedal locomotion
Describe the trend in pelvis structure over time
Shorter and more bowl-shaped
Provide a reason supporting the change in pelvis structure over time
Greater support for upper body whilst standing and walking upright
Outline the change in leg attachment to the pelvis
Earlier species, straight line attachment meant species had to swing their legs wide when walking. Now attached at angle.
Describe the trend in big toe structure over time
More protruding
Describe the trend in smaller toes over time
Increasingly aligned
Provide a reason supporting the change in structure of small toes
No longer a need to grasp with small toes
Describe the trend in foot arch over time
Foot arch increases
Provide a reason supporting the changes in structure of foot arch
More efficient bipedal locomotion
Describe the trend in heel size over time
Increased
Provide a reason supporting the changes in heel structure over time
Bipedalism more energy efficient and less impactful
Describe the trend in hand function over time
Hands free to engage in cultural/artistic activities
Provide a reason for hand functionality increasing over time
Bidpedal development
Describe the trend in head function over time
Raise heads to scan for prey and predators
Describe the trend in SA exposure over time
Standing upright reduced UV exposure
Describe the trend in cognitivity over time
As brain size increased, higher cognitivie processes developed
State the order of the Homo genus to 4.2 million years ago
- Australophithecus
- Paranthropus
- Humans
- Modern humans
Describe the subspecies in the Genus Homo (early humans and humans) - oldest to youngest
- Habilis
- Rudolfensis
- Erectus
- Heidelbergensis
- Neanderthalensis
- Denisovans
- Floresiensis
- Sapiens
Describe the characteristics of vision which all primates share
- Forward facing eyes
- Binocular vision
- Colour
Describe the characteristic shape of face/snout which all primates share
- Reduced projection
Describe the characteristic structure of teeth which all primates share
- Simple cusp pattern
- 3/4 different types
Describe the characteristic structure of hands and feet which all primates share
- 5 digits
- Nails
- Opposable thumb/big toes
Describe the characteristic social organisation shared by all primates
- Complex social hierarchies
Describe the characteristics of reproduction shared by all primates
- Increased infancy dependency
- Long period of parental care
Describe prognathism
Extension/bulging out of lower jaw
Compare and contrast hominins and hominoids
Hominoids - include all apes
Hominins - humans and their extinct closest ancestors
Outline the characteristic trend in jaw size in Homo species
Small
Outline the distinguishing feature of Homo neanderthalensis
Prominent brow ridges
State the domain of H. Sapiens
Eukarya
State the phylum of H. Sapiens
Chordata
State the class of H. Sapiens
Mammalia
State the order of H. Sapiens
Primates
State the family of H. Sapiens
Hominidae
State the genus of H. Sapiens
Homo
State the species of H. Sapiens
H. Sapiens
