Human evolution Flashcards
What are the trends in human evolution?
- skull size: increase
- face slope: decrease
- cranial capacity: increase
- teeth size: decrease
- protruding brow ridge: decreases
- jawshape: wider
- position of foramen and magan: moves to central
- arrangement of hips: knees move together
- pelvis:
What structural changes have occurred throughout human evolution?
- enlargement of brain
- reduction in tooth size
- shortening of the face
- reduction in brow ridges
- skeletal changes that allow for bipedialism
What are some examples of primates?
- chimps
- orangutans
- gibbons
- old and new world monkeys
What is a hominoid?
All members of the super family excluding extinct ancestral forms
True or false?
Compared with other primates, all hominoids have a more upright posture and lower centre of gravity.
True.
Hominoids also do not have fails.
What are hominins?
Humans, other members of the genus Homo and erect walking ancestors.
What are the characteristics of the early hominin species?
- they were erect walking
- had mainly a herbivorous diet
- had smaller brains than later hominins
- date back from 5 million years
What are the characteristics of the early hominin species?
- they were erect walking
- had mainly a herbivorous diet
- had smaller brains than later hominins
- date back from 5 million years
What behavioral differences did homo species show later on?
- make progressively sophisticated tools
- incorporating meat into diet
- makin ornaments and instruments
- creating art, music and ceremonies
- using language and symbols
What is cultural evolution?
refers to changes in human societies over time where those changes are socially transmitted, not genetically transmitted.
What is biological evolution?
process of change in members of a species under the influence of natural selection and requiring much longer time periods than so-called cultural evolution.
What is technological evolution?
refers to changes in technology over time that give humans increased control over their environment.
What did biological evolution provide?
The physical and cognitive framework in which cultural change based on technology could take place in human species.
What is an advantage of technology?
Extends human capabilities.
