Human Evolution From Ape-like Ancestors

Question 1

What can we learn from Fossil evidence?

Answer 1

Learn about physical appearance , how they changed over time.
Bone size, shape, markings show now hominins moved around

Question 2

What are the most common fossils?

Answer 2

Teeth, lower jaws, facial and upper cranial bones of skull
Skulls found in fragments
Femurs
Very rare are : feet, hands, pelvis, spine

Question 3

What features give us an idea of evolutionary history?

Answer 3

1. Bipedalism (spine and pelvic girdle)
2. Brain size
3. Teeth (dentition)
4. Prognathism ( jaw sticks out markedly)
5. Palate shape ( roof of mouth)
6. Cranial ( sagitial) and brow ridges

Question 4

How does bipedalism show evolutionary changes?

Answer 4

Early hominins pre-adapted to bipedalism, had freed arms,for climbing.
Climate changed, habitat changed from forest to Savannah
Ancestors adapt to environment, find new sources

Question 5

How did bipedalism advantage early hominins?

Answer 5

• live in greater variety of areas
• see danger from predators
• gather food and make tools

Question 6

How do we know if a fossil was bipedal?

Answer 6

A Foramen magnum that is positioned further forward
A shorter, broader pelvis - weight in upright position
An s-shaped spine - enable posture

Question 7

What can we tell by brain size?

Answer 7

Drastic climate changes in enviro, allowed ancestors to survive, A a larger more complex brain, capable of processing new information.

Question 8

What were average brain capacities of ape and hominins?

Answer 8

Ape - 395 cc
Early hominins- 435 cc
Homo sapiens - 135o cc

Question 9

What evidence can we gather to see how humans evolved from ape like structure?

Answer 9

A) Fossil evidence
B) genetic evidence(mitochindrIal DNA)
C) cultural evidence