Human Evolution- Exam 1 Flashcards
Evolution is a _____________ level event.
population
The oldest human fossils came from…
Africa
Descent with Modification (PMVA)
Primates
Mammals
Vertebrates
Animals
Are humans from monkeys? If yes, why? If no, why?
No, monkeys are still around
Each individual is a __________ combination.
unique
Occums Razor
given the choice, the easiest explanation tends to be the right one
We are old world monkeys. Which species are most like us?
Bonobos
Do we have the same bones in the same places as some other animals?
Yes
How are dolphins different than humans?
They have bigger brains, hence their capabilities for SONAR
What human features make us different? (5)
- Great manual dexterity
- large brain for body size
- analytical and verbal skills
- elaborate social behavior
- complex culture
Darwin came up with evolution? Or the Mechanisms of evolution?
Mechanisms, not evolution itself
What is Huxley famous for?
Huxley argued that man clearly belonged to the order of the primates
Sexual selection is also called…
Mate Choice
From a fossil standpoint, species usually live about
a million years
Fossils of extinct primates reveal that the majority of them lived in..
trees
Many of the characteristics apparently evolved as adaptations to..
life in the trees (arboreal)
Diurnal
Sleep during the night
Primate Characteristics (8)
- Most are diurnal
- front-facing eyes
- broadly overlapping fields of vision
- perception of depth
- moveable fingers and toes
- flattened nails instead of claws
- Hands and feet are prehensile (grasping)
- Color vision
Women have more cones in their eyes and men have more
rods
Arboreal lifestyle requires a ________ brain. Because of?
larger. higher order of intelligence
An ___________ thumb is another useful adaptation for an arboreal existence.
opposable
Preadaptations
before adaptations
Preadaptations says that
you only modify what you have available
What are some preadaptations? (3)
High intelligence
Hand/Eye coordination
Opposable thumbs
