Physical Flashcards
empiricism
Based on observation or experience
Scientific method
An approach to research whereby a problem is identified, a hypothesis is stated, and that hypothesis is tested by collecting and analyzing data
Evolution
Any change in allele frequencies from one generation to the next
Forces of evolution
Natural selection
genetic drift
Mutation
Gene flow (migration )
Natural selection
An evolutionary mechanism that occurs when some individuals of a population are better able to adapt to their environment and produce more offspring
Selective agent: the environment
Survival of the fittest
The ones who have the combination of trusts that allow them to survive and produce more offspring that in turns survive to reproduce
Sexual selection
A form of natural selection favoring traits that improve an individuals chances of locating, attracting, and fighting for access to mates
Bodies adapt to competition in mating
Laetoli footprints
Footprints demonstrated that the foot of afarensis was humanlike in having:
A rounded heel
A non divergent big toe
A double arch
Polygyny
One male , multiple female
Monogamy
One male, one female
Polyandry
One female , multiple male
Promiscuity
Multiple male, multiple female
The evolution of bipedalism
Forests were becoming patchy
Food became more dispersed
Walking on two legs in this sort of habitat would have been more energy efficient in comparison to quadrupedalism
Owen lovejoy’s provisioning hypothesis
Bipedalism freed Dad’s hands and enhanced the survival of the mother and her offspring by bringing home the bacon and being the protective patriarch
Primate characteristics
Grasping hands Opposable thumbs Nails Five digits Clavicle Lesser sense of smell and hearing Eyes rotated forward Orbital closure
