Human Evolution Flashcards
What are Primates?
is the name given to the order of mammals which share a common ancestor and hence many structural similarities.
What is Bipedal?
Walking on two legs
(e.g. humans)
What is Quadrapedalism?
Walking on all fours
(e.g. monkeys)
Advantages of being bipedal?
- both hands are free = precision grip and power grip
- use hands for other tasks = better survival chance
- precision grip = Can make tools
- less trees and brachiating = Further walking distances = bipedal is more efficient
What is Brachiating?
Swinging from trees
Where is the frontal lobe found?What’s it for?
Found in front of brain (forehead area)
used for:
- thinking
- problem solving
- emotions
-behaviour control
- decision making
Where is the Cerebellum found?What’s it for?
Bottom of brain near brain stem
used for:
- fine motor skills
-hand-eye co-ordination
-balance
What is Cultral evolution?
transmission of behaviour and language over time. Can happen continuously within a lifetime and change is relatively rapid.
Name and discuss the four major tool cultures?
(Tools used)
Oldowan - 2.5 MYA - Homo habillis - knocked from several angles to make a core with a cutting edge
Acheulian - 1.7 MYA - Homo Erectus- ‘tear drop’ shape - Flint or Basalt used - many knocks to remove more flakes
Mousterian - 0.5MYA - Homo neanderthalensis - Flint - struck with another object, striking oval flake that would be used (Levallois method)
- scraper
Upper Palaeolithic - 50,000 YA - Homo sapiens - Flint, bone, ivory, antler - Punch blade method making long thin flake
Use of fire?
- light = Remain active at night
- cook = new foods like meats became digestible and palatable - indigestible plants became edible
- better weapons and tools
- protection
warmth
What did fire allow us to do?
- allowed Homo Erectus to live in colder areas
- improved survival as killed diseases in foods
- encouraged socialisation
Partially bipedal
What are some features of “anatomically modern humans”
Large complex brain
cognitive skills allowing thrive in varied environments
and live in complex societies/civilisations
Finer face
ability to make and use tools
Language
What is the most common widespread primate
Humans
What characterises a great ape
Bipedalism
High intelligence
What is one of the earliest defining human traits
Bipedalism
How long has bipedalism evolved over
4 million years
What human advanced traits emerged in past 100,000years
Complex symbolic expression
Art
Cultural diversity
Are humans primates
Yes
Homosapiens have a close relationship with what other primate
Great apes
Were did human first evolve
Africa
How long ago did first human fossils in Africa originate
6 - 2million years ago
What are the great apes of Africa
chimpanzees
Gorillas
How many different species of early humans are there
16-20
How long ago did humans first migrate out of Africa into Asia
2million-1.8 million years ago
How long ago did humans migrate into Europe
1.5-1million years ago
When did agriculture and first civilisations first arise
12,000years ago
What is paleoanthropology
Study of human evolution-human culture society and biology
As a paleoanthropologist “search for “
roots of human physical traits and behaviour and how it has shaped humans
What concept of human evolution do some people struggle with
Not fit with religious and traditional beliefs
What provides the most important clues to human past
fossils and archaeological remains
Where are human remains found and how did they get there
Buried and preserved and then exposed by weather /rivers or by digging
What is archeological evidence and how is it used
things earlier people made and places they left , studying this allows us to understand how early humans made and used tools and lived in the environment
What is the process of evolution
Natural changes that allow species to ARISE,ADAPT to environment and become EXTINCT
What is the classification of humans
Homo sapiens
How does evolution occur
Change in genetic material (DNA)
What does genetic inherited characteristics influence in an organism
Its chance of survival and reproduction
Does evolution change a single individual
No
What does evolution change
inherited ability for growth/development that typifies a POPULATION
eg parent passes on genetic change to offspring —-this change off that offspring survives therefor gives birth and that trait becomes more common in the population
when did MODERN humans first populate Australia and Americas
Australia 60,000years ago
Americas 30,000 years ago
What type of remains offer clues about ancient history and what can they tell us about earlier humans beliefs with scientific evidence
Fossils and archeological remains - bones -tells us physical appearance , bone size shape and muscle markings left how moved, held tools ,how brain changed
tools footprints, hearts,butchery marks on animal bones