Human Evolution Flashcards
What characteristics differ between modern humans and modern chimps/ gorillas?
Bipedalism- walking primarily upright on two feet
What are the major characteristics of the Australopithecines
Similar to apes but brains are slightly larger, may have used stone tools and climbed trees but walked on two legs
What characteristics sets modern humans apart from Australopithecines and other hominins
Australopithecines have slender bodies, small ape-like skulls, lived in forests and grasslands and ate a vegetarian diet
Where on earth did human evolution probably start? Why?
Africa, Mitochondrial DNA studies have been used to trace human origins back to Africa.
What does DNA evidence suggest about the relationship between humans and chimps
They shared a common ancestor
What are the 5 characteristics that make up a primate
5 flexible fingers Mammals Hair Suckle their young Complex social behavior
Who discovered Lucy
Dr. Donald Johanson
Where was Lucy discovered
Hadar, Ethiopia
Who founded the taung child
Raymond dart in South Africa
Opposable thumbs
Used for gripping
Prosimians
The first primates
We’re arboreal; lived in trees
Anthropoids
Evolved from prosimians
Lucy
Example Of Australopithecus afarensis
3,000,000
40% complete
Supra orbital ridge
Located above the eye sockets
Prognathism
In the jaw and maxillary
Sagittal crest
A bone ridge running along the top of the skull where the jaw muscles are attached
Dental arcade
Arrangement of the back rows of teeth
Zygomatic process
The bone that connects the cheekbone to the beginning of the ear canal.
Post orbital constriction
Behind the eyes and meets the brain case
What is a primates?
A group of mammals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, and lemurs
What was so important about Lucy?
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.
What was the first primate to evolve
Prosimians
What is binocular vision
Binocular vision is having both eyes on the same side of the head and it gives greater depth perception
What does diurnal mean
Diurnal means it is active during the day
What does it mean to be arboreal
Arboreal means they live in trees.
