Human Evolution

Question 1

What characteristics differ between modern humans and modern chimps/ gorillas?

Answer 1

Bipedalism- walking primarily upright on two feet

Question 2

What are the major characteristics of the Australopithecines

Answer 2

Similar to apes but brains are slightly larger, may have used stone tools and climbed trees but walked on two legs

Question 3

What characteristics sets modern humans apart from Australopithecines and other hominins

Answer 3

Australopithecines have slender bodies, small ape-like skulls, lived in forests and grasslands and ate a vegetarian diet

Question 4

Where on earth did human evolution probably start? Why?

Answer 4

Africa, Mitochondrial DNA studies have been used to trace human origins back to Africa.

Question 5

What does DNA evidence suggest about the relationship between humans and chimps

Answer 5

They shared a common ancestor

Question 6

What are the 5 characteristics that make up a primate

Answer 6

5 flexible fingers 
Mammals 
Hair 
Suckle their young
Complex social behavior

Question 7

Who discovered Lucy

Answer 7

Dr. Donald Johanson

Question 8

Where was Lucy discovered

Answer 8

Hadar, Ethiopia

Question 9

Who founded the taung child

Answer 9

Raymond dart in South Africa

Question 10

Opposable thumbs

Answer 10

Used for gripping

Question 11

Prosimians

Answer 11

The first primates

We’re arboreal; lived in trees

Question 12

Anthropoids

Answer 12

Evolved from prosimians

Question 13

Lucy

Answer 13

Example Of Australopithecus afarensis
3,000,000
40% complete

Question 14

Supra orbital ridge

Answer 14

Located above the eye sockets

Question 15

Prognathism

Answer 15

In the jaw and maxillary

Question 16

Sagittal crest

Answer 16

A bone ridge running along the top of the skull where the jaw muscles are attached

Question 17

Dental arcade

Answer 17

Arrangement of the back rows of teeth

Question 18

Zygomatic process

Answer 18

The bone that connects the cheekbone to the beginning of the ear canal.

Question 19

Post orbital constriction

Answer 19

Behind the eyes and meets the brain case

Question 20

What is a primates?

Answer 20

A group of mammals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, and lemurs

Question 21

What was so important about Lucy?

Answer 21

Lucy was the oldest hominid at the time of its discovery. A. afarensis was once thought to be the ancestor from which modern humans descended.

Question 22

What was the first primate to evolve

Answer 22

Prosimians

Question 23

What is binocular vision

Answer 23

Binocular vision is having both eyes on the same side of the head and it gives greater depth perception

Question 24

What does diurnal mean

Answer 24

Diurnal means it is active during the day

Question 25

What does it mean to be arboreal

Answer 25

Arboreal means they live in trees.