Human Evolution Definitions

Question 1

Acheulean Tools

Answer 1

Tool culture associated with Homo Erectus. The tools called ‘choppers’ were typically in a tear drop shape.

Question 2

Agriculture

Answer 2

Agriculture is the domestification of animals and the planting of plants and crops for food and increased productivity.

Question 3

Archaic Homo sapiens

Answer 3

A group that encompasses the many regional variants of early Homo sapiens with a robust human skeleton that existed between 400,000 and 100,000 years ago.

Question 4

Australopithecus

Answer 4

Group of extinct omnivorous bipedal hominins. Including A.anamensis, afarensis, africanus, and some others.

Question 5

Australopithecus Afarensis

Answer 5

An early Australopithecine thought to have been a common ancestor to both the later Australopithecines and to the genus Homo.

Question 6

Biological Evolution

Answer 6

Evolution of bone, muscles, physiology and inherited behaviour. Happens slowly as it is passed on through our DNA as we breed.

Question 7

Bipedalism

Answer 7

A habitual upright, walking on two limbs. It is an energy efficient method that favours low speed, long distance movement.

Question 8

Brachiation

Answer 8

A method of locomotion that involves moving from branch to branch by swinging below the branches rather than moving along the tops of branches.

Question 9

Broca’s Region

Answer 9

An area of the brain that controls the muscles of the lips, jaw, tongue, soft palate and vocal cords during speech. Associated with the creation of speech.

Question 10

Cultural Evoltion

Answer 10

Is the transmission of knowledge from generation to generation, not passed on by genetics, that allows enhancements and refinements to accumulate. It includes the development of tools, art, music, rituals, weapons etc.

Question 11

Denisovans

Answer 11

According to one theory, Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans are all descended from the ancient human Homo heidelbergensis. When Homo heidelbergensis left Africa, one branch moved east, becoming Denisovans.

Question 12

Dentition

Answer 12

The number, size and arrangement of teeth in the skull and jaw, including the presence or absence of a diastema.

Question 13

Diastema

Answer 13

A gap between the incisors and canines

Question 14

Divergence

Answer 14

The development of dissimilar traits or features in closely related populations or species.

Question 15

Foramen Magnum

Answer 15

Opening on the lower side of the skull where the spinal cord attaches.

Question 16

Gracile

Answer 16

This term is often used to describe the lightly built body of fossils belonging to the genus Australopithecus when comparing them to the genus Paranthopus.

Question 17

Hip Girdle

Answer 17

Long hip bone in quadrupedal animals to support abdominal organs. Humans have a bowl-shaped girdle to reduce the stress on the part of the hip that transmits body weight.

Question 18

Hominin

Answer 18

A group that includes humans and pre-humans.

Question 19

Hominid

Answer 19

Family that includes apes and humans.

Question 20

Homo erectus

Answer 20

The first hominid fossils found outside Africa belong to this widely distributed species of Homo. First to use and maintain fire from a natural source, which they used to cook food, keep warm and exploit new habitats. Increase in brain volume.

Question 21

Homo ergaster

Answer 21

A name which reflects current thinking that the older forms of Homo erectus should be reclassified as a separate group.

Question 22

Homo habilis

Answer 22

Tools used were Oldowan, where they were pebble tools with flat faces at one end and included the use of the flakes from their manufacture.

Question 23

Homo neanderthalensis

Answer 23

A robust cold-adapted species of Homo confined to Europe and Western Asia. Characterised by a long, low skull with a reduced brow ridge.

Question 24

Homo sapiens

Answer 24

The name given to anatomically modern humans.

Question 25

Hunter-gatherer

Answer 25

Mostly nomadic, spending large proportions of their time searching for and collecting plant foods, hunting animals, or scavenging carcases. Moved as resources changes.

Question 26

Lower Palaeolithic

Answer 26

This period refers to the Oldowan and Acheulean tool cultures.

Question 27

Mesolithic

Answer 27

The transition between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods.

Question 28

Mousterian

Answer 28

Tools created by Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens. More sophisticated and finely worked scrapers, spear tips and axe heads. Produced using Levallois technique.

Question 29

mtDNA

Answer 29

The DNA located in the mitochondria, inherited from the mother. This can be used to trace maternal lineage far back in time.

Question 30

Multiregional Hypothesis

Answer 30

Dispersal hypothesis which states that some of the human species left Africa 2 mya spreading into Europe and Asia, and evolved parallel to Homo sapiens independently.

Question 31

Nuchal Crest

Answer 31

Ridge at the back of the skull for attachment of the neck muscles. Reduced in size in bipedal organisms.

Question 32

Oldowan

Answer 32

Tools made by Homo habilis. Pebble tools: choppers and flakes.

Question 33

Paranthropus boisei

Answer 33

A very heavily built species of Paranthopus found in Eastern Africa and showing marked sexual dimorphism.

Question 34

Power Grip

Answer 34

The high force and low precision movements of the hand which uses the bulk of the hand for force generation. Useful for brachiating and knuckle walking.

Question 35

Precision Grip

Answer 35

Is the grip of the hand were the intermediate, fingertips and the thumb press together allowing for precise movements with less strength.

Question 36

Prognathism

Answer 36

The degree of protrusion of the snout or muzzle region of the face.

Question 37

Replacement hypothesis (Out of Africa)

Answer 37

Dispersal hypothesis that states that modern humans evolved in Africa and left about 200,000 years ago. They outcompeted and replaced other hominin populations.

Question 38

Robust

Answer 38

This term is often used to describe heavy skulls with large ridges for muscle attachment.

Question 39

Sagittal Crest

Answer 39

Bony projection on the top of the skull for attachment of chewing muscles.

Question 40

Sexual Dimorphism

Answer 40

Where there are structural differences between the sexes of a species.

Question 41

Thermoregulation

Answer 41

The ability of the body to keep cool.

Question 42

Upper Paleolithic

Answer 42

Tools crafted by Homo sapiens in this period covers multiple tool periods. Characterised by a greater range of materials.

Question 43

Valgus Angle

Answer 43

The carrying angle of the femur that ensures the knee is brought well under the body during walking, increasing efficiency by eliminating sideways movement.

Question 44

Wernicke’s Area

Answer 44

An area of the brain concerned with the comprehension of spoken words - the ability to listen.

Question 45

Y-chromosome DNA

Answer 45

The Y chromosome DNA is only passed from father to son and can be used to trace paternal lineage far back in time.

Question 46

Zygomatic Arch

Answer 46

Bone structure on side of cheek through which the chewing muscles go.

Question 47

Quadrupedalism

Answer 47

The act of walking on four limbs.