Introduction to Humans

Question 1

What order do humans belong in?

Answer 1

Order: Primates

Question 2

List key characteristics of primates

Answer 2

• Have 5 digits on each hand and foot, including innermost opposable digit
• Hands and feet are prehensile
• Digits have flattened nails
• Forward facing eyes
• Reduced snouts
• Large craniums relative to body weight
• Flexible spines, rotation in hips and shoulders

Question 3

What is purpose of prehensile hands and feet

Answer 3

Can curl to grip

Question 4

What is purpose and benefit of forward facing eyes

Answer 4

Stereoscopic vision - allows depth perception

Question 5

What is benefit of having large cranium size relative to body weight?

Answer 5

Higher intelligence

Question 6

What superfamily do Humans belong to?

Answer 6

Hominoids

Question 7

What are a group of animals found in hominoids superfamily?

Answer 7

Apes - including Gibbons, orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees

Different to monkeys - don’t have tail

Question 8

List some key characteristics of Hominoids

Answer 8

• Molars have 5 cusps
• 8 premolar teeth
• Flattened ribcage - broader chest
• Longer arms than legs (excpet humans)
• Shoulder blades sit further back

Question 9

What tribe (between family and genus) do Humans belong to?

Answer 9

Hominins

Question 10

What does the tribe Hominins consist of?

Answer 10

Modern humans, extinct human species and all immediate ancestors which were bipedal