HUMAN ANATOMICAL EVOLUTION

Question 1

What are primates

Answer 1

type of mammal that are members of the mammalian order ‘primates’

defined by a suite of anatomical and behavioural traits

Question 2

What traits define a primate

Answer 2

Specialised limbs and locomotion: nails instead of claws, thumbs, allows quadrapedalism, vertical clinging/brachiation

Lack of dietary specialisation reflected in dentition

Visual acuity and reduced sense of smell: best vision due to eyes being more front (visual field more condensed, better detail)

Neocortex expansion: larger expansion for vision and not smell (a snout does not necessarily measure smelling strength

Question 3

What is a hominin

Answer 3

members of the family Hominini

includes genus homo but excludes genus gorilla.

Question 4

What is a hominoid

Answer 4

Opposite of hominin

apes are included but not humans

Question 5

What is a hominid

Answer 5

includes all humans as well as great apes (orangutans, gorillas, bonobos and chimps)

defined by:

• dental features
• bipedalism
• large brain size
• tool making behaviour

Question 6

What is mosaic evolution

Answer 6

Where some characteristics evolve while others are not at that timw

Question 7

What is the multi regional hypothesis

Answer 7

homo erectus evolved in africa then spread to other continents. While this happened interbreeding occurred finally making homo sapiens

issues of this include that if the species spread out from africa how did we all end up the same

Question 8

What is the replacement model

Answer 8

a first species spread out from africa. Then back in africa homo sapiens were produced.

They then spread out replacing all other species.

If this was true, african DNA should have highest variation which was found true + most fossils are found in africa

Question 9

What was the human migration pattern

Answer 9

africa

middle east, asia, australia

europe

north america (later due to ice age)

south america