Difference between humans and other primates

Question 1

What is a difference in spine structure of other primates and hominins?

Humans and Hominis are interchangeable terms

Answer 1

• Other primates - ‘C’ shaped spine
• Hominins - ‘S’ shaped spine

Question 2

What is a difference in cranium size of other primates and hominins?

Answer 2

• Other primates: Smaller cranium size
• Humans: Larger cranium size (larger brain)

Question 3

What is the part of the skull where brain stem enters cranium?

Answer 3

Foramen Magnum

Question 4

Compare position of Foramen magnum in other primates and in humans

Answer 4

• Other primates: Posterior position (behind)
• Humans: Anterior position (forwards)

Question 5

What is a difference in centre of gravity of other primates and humans?

Answer 5

• Other primates: Centre of gravity in front of pelvis
• Humans: Centre of gravity through pelvis (skull sits vertically above spine)

Question 6

Characteristics of foramen magnum position, spine shape and centre of gravity are adaptaion in humans for what?

Answer 6

Adaptation for bipedalism

Question 7

Describe the difference in teeth between humans and other primates

Answer 7

• Other primates: Large teeth with big canines
• Humans: Smaller teeth - no big canines

Question 8

Describe the shape of pelvis between other primates and hominins

Answer 8

• Other primates: Smaller pelvis
• Hominins: Larger pelvis, more bowl-shaped pelvis

Question 9

What is the function of hominins having a larger bowl-shaped pelvis?

Answer 9

Allows for large headed offspring

Question 10

Describe trend in carrying angle between primates and other hominins

Answer 10

Other primates: Larger carrying angle (right angle to knee)
Hominins: Carrying angle is smaller

Question 11

What is function of humans having a smaller carrying angle?

Answer 11

More efficient bipedalism - alligns centre of gravity better through midline of body

Question 12

What is the difference between jaw bones in primates and hominins?

Answer 12

• Other primates: Larger jaw bone
• Hominins: Smaller jaw bone

Question 13

What is a difference between shape of jaw and pattern of teeth in other primates and humans?

Answer 13

• Other primates: ‘V’ shaped jaw and recatngular pattern of teeth
• Humans: ‘U’ shaped jaw and parabolic pattern of teeth

Question 14

What is the reason humans evolved to have smaller jaw bone and smaller teeth?

Answer 14

No longer had to eat tough foods and/or raw meat. Mostly eat cooked foods now.

Question 15

What are the cheekbones on the skull often called?

Answer 15

Zygomatic arches

Question 16

What is the difference between zygomatic arches of other primates and humans?

Answer 16

• Other primates: Large zygomatic arches
• Humans: Small zygomatic arches

Question 17

What is the difference between other primates and hominins in terms of crest on head?

Answer 17

• Other primates: Large crest on cranium
• Humans: Fairly smooth cranium (lack of prominent crest)

Question 18

What is the purpose of primates having large zgomatic bridges and large crest on skull?

Answer 18

For more and larger jaw muscles to attach = stronger bite force for eating tougher foods