Human Evolution

Question 0

Great apes

Answer 0

Orangutan, gorilla, chimps and humans

Question 1

Apes

Answer 1

Gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, chimps and humans

Question 2

African great apes

Answer 2

Gorillas, chimps and humans

Question 3

Human and chimp molecular divergence

Answer 3

Molecular clock estimate around 5.4 million years ago

Question 4

Physical differences in humans and apes

Answer 4

Differ mainly in size/proportions of body parts rather than presence/absence of traits

Question 5

Humans and chimps nucleotide difference

Answer 5

Differ in about 1-2% of nucleotides in most if the genes that have been examined

Question 6

Chromosome comparison in human and chimps/gorillas

Answer 6

Human chromosome #2 is one long chromosome whereas in chimps and gorillas it is split into two

Question 7

Differences in gene expression

Answer 7

Mainly in the brain

Question 8

Ardipithecus

Answer 8

Very small brain cases, bipedal, about 3.9 feet talk, 1st known possible ancestor to apes/humans, 4.4 mya

Question 9

Australopithecus

Answer 9

Small brain cases, bipedal, females 3’7” and males between 4’7”-4’11”, more direct ancestor of humans, 2.4-3.9 mya

Question 10

Paranthropus

Answer 10

Slightly larger, bipedal, big molars/jaws, less direct ancestry to us, maybe separate lineages, 1-2.7 mya

Question 11

Early homo

Answer 11

Larger brain cases, smaller faces (flatter and more vertical), bipedal, 1.5-2.4 mya

Question 12

Homo erectus

Answer 12

Even larger brain cases, longer legs, closely related to humans (at least more so than previously), 1.2 mya to 0.4 mya

Question 13

Homo sapiens

Answer 13

Same traits as homo erectus but 0.1 mya to present, humans

Question 14

Homo erectus outside of Africa

Answer 14

Around 1.6-1.9 mya

Question 15

Out of Africa hypothesis

Answer 15

One origin of Homo sapiens in Africa and then moved elsewhere, no interbreeding with homo erectus already in area, displace and outcompete them

Question 16

Multiregional hypothesis

Answer 16

Multiple origins of Homo sapiens from homo erectus regionally, gene flow kept populations one species (slower transition into Homo sapiens, interbreeding)

Question 17

Hybridization and assimilation hypothesis

Answer 17

Like out of Africa but could interbreed with homo erectus

Question 18

Human traits among currently living primates

Answer 18

Bipedal locomotion, large brains, manufacture and use of complex tools, use of language

Question 19

Language

Answer 19

Use of arbitrary symbols, standardized within a culture, to represent objects and ideas

Question 20

Evolution of language

Answer 20

Cave paintings 32,000 years old required language, hyoid bone in homo neanderthalensis (anchors throat muscles, important for speech), larger brain case especially in the brain case area ~2 mya in homo habilis