Human Evolution Flashcards
1
Q
What are Primates?
A
is the name given to the order of mammals which share a common ancestor and hence many structural similarities.
2
Q
What is Bipedal?
A
Walking on two legs
(e.g. humans)
3
Q
What is Quadrapedalism?
A
Walking on all fours
(e.g. monkeys)
4
Q
Advantages of being bipedal?
A
- 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
5
Q
What is Brachiating?
A
Swinging from trees
6
Q
Where is the frontal lobe found?What’s it for?
A
Found in front of brain (forehead area)
used for:
- thinking
- problem solving
- emotions
-behaviour control
- decision making
7
Q
Where is the Cerebellum found?What’s it for?
A
Bottom of brain near brain stem
used for:
- fine motor skills
-hand-eye co-ordination
-balance
8
Q
What is Cultral evolution?
A
transmission of behaviour and language over time. Can happen continuously within a lifetime and change is relatively rapid.
9
Q
Name and discuss the four major tool cultures?
(Tools used)
A
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
10
Q
Use of fire?
A
- light = Remain active at night
- cook = new foods like meats became digestible and palatable - indigestible plants became edible
- better weapons and tools
- protection
warmth
11
Q
What did fire allow us to do?
A
- allowed Homo Erectus to live in colder areas
- improved survival as killed diseases in foods
- encouraged socialisation
12
Q
Partially bipedal
A
13
Q
What are some features of “anatomically modern humans”
A
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
14
Q
What is the most common widespread primate
A
Humans
15
Q
What characterises a great ape
A
Bipedalism
High intelligence
16
Q
What is one of the earliest defining human traits
A
Bipedalism
17
Q
How long has bipedalism evolved over
A
4 million years
18
Q
What human advanced traits emerged in past 100,000years
A
Complex symbolic expression
Art
Cultural diversity
19
Q
Are humans primates
A
Yes
20
Q
Homosapiens have a close relationship with what other primate
A
Great apes
21
Q
Were did human first evolve
A
Africa
22
Q
How long ago did first human fossils in Africa originate
A
6 - 2million years ago
23
Q
What are the great apes of Africa
A
chimpanzees
Gorillas
24
Q
How many different species of early humans are there
A
16-20
25
How long ago did humans first migrate out of Africa into Asia
2million-1.8 million years ago
26
How long ago did humans migrate into Europe
1.5-1million years ago
27
When did agriculture and first civilisations first arise
12,000years ago
28
What is paleoanthropology
Study of human evolution-human culture society and biology
29
As a paleoanthropologist "search for "
roots of human physical traits and behaviour and how it has shaped humans
30
What concept of human evolution do some people struggle with
Not fit with religious and traditional beliefs
31
What provides the most important clues to human past
fossils and archaeological remains
32
Where are human remains found and how did they get there
Buried and preserved and then exposed by weather /rivers or by digging
33
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
34
What is the process of evolution
Natural changes that allow species to ARISE,ADAPT to environment and become EXTINCT
35
What is the classification of humans
Homo sapiens
36
How does evolution occur
Change in genetic material (DNA)
37
What does genetic inherited characteristics influence in an organism
Its chance of survival and reproduction
38
Does evolution change a single individual
No
39
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
40
when did MODERN humans first populate Australia and Americas
Australia 60,000years ago
Americas 30,000 years ago
41
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
42
How does evolution occur and how does genetic change alter a species overall way of life
Gives them favoured abilities to survive and eventually some control over environmental change - as scavengers,hunter-gatherers,farming
43
What things would early migratory modern humans had to adapt to
New environment/landscapes
Diseases
New predators
Different food sources
New animals/predators
New climates
44
What is a hominoid vs Hominin
Hominoid =human like species (apes, humans,recent ancestors)
Homininin- Human and recent bipedal ancestorrs
45
What is Biological evolution
occurs thru genes - can only be passed on genetically so SLOW RATE
46
What changes are biological evolution linked to
Skeletal changes as a result in becoming bipedal
head= external and internal
upper limb =ability to manipulate our hands/shoulders
spine features
47
What is cultural evolution
Non genetic passing on of information through teaching ideas ,beliefs and knowledge by learning from other members of the group- FASTER RATE - as more than 1 person can betaight at a time
48
What trends of increasing behavioural complexity can we see
Tools
Fire
Shelter
Clothing
Food gathering
Abstract burials/art
Plant and animal domestication
49
What Key difference is seen in head Apes/humans
Apes- large sagittal crest centre top of skull-large jaw muscles attach
Humans no sagittal crest
50
What Key difference is seen in skull Apes/humans
Apes - sagittal crest and large jaw muscle line
-foramen magnum back of lower side of skull
Humans -no sagittal crest
-foramen magnum in center underneath
51
What Key difference is seen in neck Apes/humans
Apes -strong neck muscles attach nuchal crest on top/back to stop head dropping forward
Humans - as head balances on top -no nuchal crest s not have strong neck muscles
52
What Key difference is seen in face Apes/humans
Apes - large brow ridge /sloping face
Humans- no brow ridge and flatter face
53
What Key difference is seen in brain Apes/humans
Apes - small brain - No language area
Humans - large brain with developed cerebral cortex ( gives higher level speech ,thinking, memory )
Have a language area
54
What Key difference is seen in jaw Apes/humans
Apes - parallel sides "U shaped"
Humans- more round _ "bow shaped "What Key difference is seen in head Apes/humans
55
What Key difference is seen in teeth Apes/humans
Apes- large canines ( esp males )
Humans -thicker enamel/small canines
56
What Key difference is seen in spines/pelvis of Apes/humans
Apes - C shaped and long narrow pelvis
Humans -S shaped short stiff bowl like pelvis
57
What Key difference is seen in knees Apes/humans
Apes- knees bend out under hips -femur angled into knees so if lift leg off ground loose balance so walk with a sway
Humans - knees angled in ( valgus ) so knees in centre gravity . Knee joint larger .
58
Is an ape or humans gait more energy efficient
Humans - not waste energy as do not swing legs side to side as balanced when walk unlike ape - due to knee angles
59
What Key difference is seen in toes of Apes/humans
Apes - large opposable big toe ( so foot can grab things). FOOT flat
Humans - forward facing toe - foot arched -shock absorber when walk
60
What Key difference is seen in hands of Apes/humans
Ape - fingers more curved - less mobile - power grip
Humans- only precision grip
61
What Key difference is seen in hair of Apes/humans
Ape - longer and coarse - less sweat glands
Humans same number hair but finer and more sweat glands
62
What is bipedalism
Ability to walk on 2 legs
63
When did bipedalism first be seen
4 million years ago
64
What are advantages bipedalism
Free hands to carry objects eg food tools - Maning could carry back to house site for sharing
Heat regulation = rises body higher from the ground where wind and temp cooling - greater wind less heat loss
Less solar exposure day being upright - as brain sensitive we have kept hair to reduce heating effect of the sun
See predators as more upright ( primates need use smell)
Less energy used to move long distances ( more efficient )
Carrying young -human females no body hair for young grasp and no prehensile feet to hang onto mum in babies - so must carry and baby must be dependent on being carried
65
What is thought to be the most important step in evolution
Change to being completely bipedal - as fired hands allowing us to take advantage of our larger brains
66
What is positive feedback
when 1 change reinforces another change effect ie mum needs hold /carry baby - baby thereforendependent on being carried as no grasp ( once started +ve feedback produces rapid change )
67
Disadvantages of being bipedal
Giving birth means larger head babies helpless -require lots parental care ( takes about 1 year before human baby walks)and painful to give birth
Prone to back ache as spine S shaped
68
What is the naked ape
Humans only naked ape
69
Key ideas of naked ape -
Humans only ones =
Hair on head to reduce heat loss and reflect heat off head - helps keep brain at correct temperature
Reduced body hair means easier control parasites -important for living in home bases
Inc heat loss to keep cool - less hair ( shorter and inc sweat glands)
70
Who was Lucy
First bipedal ancestor
71
What's Lucy "type " name
Australopithecus afarensis
72
Who are key players in evolution humans
=Lucy - Australopithecus afaensis ( 3 million years )
=Handy man - Homo habilis (1.5 million years )
=Upright man - Homo erectus ( 1 million years )
=archaic Homo sapiens - Homo heidelbergensis ( 300,000 ys )
= Homo neanderthalensis ( 230,000-28,000 years )
=Homo sapiens (160,000 to now )
73
Did Lucy use tools
No
74
Did Lucy speak
No
75
Did Lucy live alone
No
76
where did Lucy live
Open lands/wooded area of Africa
77
5 characteristics Lucy
Bipedal
Not use tools
Not articulated speech
Lived in groups
scavengers-mainly vegetables
78
5 characteristics Homo habilis
Speech - no voice box so grunts
Hunter = cooperative hunting
Simple stone tools- Oldawan
Made simple shelter
lived in groups
Ate more meat
79
What are Oldawan
Simple stone tools -round stone with 1 end chipped - used by "handy Andy" - Homo habilis
80
5 characteristics upright man
Used fire
First to leave Africa
Large Brain - not complete sounds -could teach
Used Acheulian tools
As ate meat -inc brain development - led to curiosity and movement to new areas - as population inc so moved new areas to survive
Built shelters - huts with wooden poles
81
Which Homonin used fire first
Homo erectus
82
Which Hominin first left Africa
Homo erectus
83
What are Acheulian tools
tear dropped stones ,double edged hand axes used by Homo Erectus, homo heidelbergensis
84
How did using fire change the Homo erectus jaw
As cooked food -softens food for easier digestion -- jaw and teeth and zygomatic arch got smaller
85
What is the other name for archaic Homo sapiens
Homo heidelbergenesis
86
Which hominin were cannabels
Homo heidelbergensis
87
Which hominin buried their dead first
Homo neanderthalensis
88
What 5 traits of Homo neanderthalensis
Thick boned ,short limbs
Intelligent - adapt weather extremes
Lived in caves and built low stone wall entrances
Made large hearths with flat stones like hot plates
Dressed in animal hides as clothes
Buried their dead -believed in afterlife
Looked after old and sick ( hierarchy )
89
Which hominin lived in caves
Homo neanderthalensis
90
Which hominin dressed in animal hides for clothes
Homo neanderthalensis
91
Which hominin buried their dead
Homo neanderthalensis
92
What did Homo neanderthalensis decorate their dead in
Red ochre ( red clay)
93
What were Homo sapiens also known as
Cro - magnon man
94
Who had a smaller brain - Neanderthal or Homo sapiens
Homo sapiens
95
who use upper Palaeolithic tools
Homo sapiens
96
Name 5 traits Homo sapiens
Used upper Palaeolithic tools
Engraved /painted cave walls
HAd imagination
Made fish hooks/sharp points/blades
Skilled hunters
97
Name 6 advantages of fire
Cooking food made softer and easier digest/eat
Kills disease in food
Detoxed food plant toxins
Kept predators away
Light - extended day length to hunt/plan - hunts more successful therefore need do less so more "spare time"
Hardened wooden spear points - better tools
98
who first used Oldowan tools
Homo habilus
99
Who first used Acheulian tools
Homo erectus/Arcahic Homo sapiens
100
Who used Mousterian tools
Neanderthals
101
Who used Upper paleolitihic tools
Neanderthals /Homo sapiens
102
What were advantages farming
easier obtain food
Dependable food source
Less death from starvation
Less people to work to provide food for many
Specialised others into other skills - so other jobs done that benefitted settlement group
Allowed trading
More times other skills ie art
More time for other technical advances - led to Industrial Revolution
103
Disadvantages farming
Diet restricted to what could grow
Dependent weather for crops
Time consuming
Caused fighting over ownership animals/land
Viruses diseases increased as large populations living closer
104
