Physical Anthropology

Question 1

What are the three major fields in physical anthropology?

Answer 1

Paleoanthropology
Primatology
Human Variation

Question 2

Define Hominin

Answer 2

a human or human ancestor

Question 3

Define Fossil

Answer 3

preserved remains of biological matter

Question 4

Define Bipedalism

Answer 4

the trait of habitually walking on two legs

Question 5

What did paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson discover in 1947?

Answer 5

Discovered ‘Lucy’ an Australopithecus afarensis a hominin and a new species; 3.2 million years old

Question 6

Who was Charles Darwin?

Answer 6

Charles Darwin (1809-1882) was a naturalist and scientist.

Question 7

What was Charles Darwin known for?

Answer 7

Established concept/theory of natural selection to explain evolution; humans first evolved in Africa

Question 8

What did Louis and Mary Leakey find in 1959? What did it prove?

Answer 8

Found “DearBoy” fossilized skull, 1.75 million years old; found other hominin
fossils in Africa including Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus; PROVED HUMAN ORGINS IN AFRICA

Question 9

What are the differences from neanderthals to humans?

Answer 9

shorter, heavier, muscular, larger skull, smaller brain, a more protruding nose, heavier brow ridges, larger teeth, & smaller chins

Question 10

What are the similarities from neanderthals to humans?

Answer 10

can make complex stone and bone tools
lay flowers at burial sites
were interbred with one another

Question 11

What is primatology?

Answer 11

the study of living primate species such as the great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans)

Question 12

What primates did Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Galdikas study?

Answer 12

Goodall: chimpanzees
Fossey: gorillas
Galdikas: orangutans

Question 13

What are humans’ similarities to other primates

Answer 13

Strong mother–infant bonding
Long infant dependency period
Dominance hierarchies and aggression in males
Grooming behaviour
Communication through facial expressions, calls; demonstrate emotions
Physical features: rotating forearms, grasping hands and feet, forward-facing
eyes, and relatively larger brains

Question 14

What are are humans’ differences from other primates

Answer 14

Adapted to bipedalism.
Longest infant dependency period of any primate.
Symbolic, spoken language and the physical apparatus for speech
Live in groups and mate in pairs.
Develop ideas and beliefs about the world that guide their actions, can reflect on their own behaviour, and have complex systems of morality and spirituality.

Question 15

What was Sue Savage Rumbaugh able to do with Kanzi?

Answer 15

Taught Kanzi graphic symbols in order to communicate; can state simple sentences and respond to requests

Question 16

Why is it important to study primates?

Answer 16

if the behaviour is present in both humans and other primates now, then it may have been present in our hominin ancestors as well.

Question 17

Why variation is important for a species to survive?

Answer 17

A mechanism of natural selection; ensures there environmental change, adaptations that helps to survive and pass on traits, ensure survival

Question 18

What is physical anthropology?

Answer 18

biological anthropology; explores how humans evolved, adapted and developed physically over time. Examines variability and evolution of human beings.

Question 19

What is evolution?

Answer 19

The process by which populations of organisms change their form over time, eventually resulting in a new species.

Question 20

What is natural selection?

Answer 20

individuals of a species who survive to
reproductive age in their environment are more likely to reproduce and pass on their traits to their offspring

Question 21

What is the evolution journey of walking upright?

Answer 21

5-6 million years ago, the environment in East Africa changed from trees to grassland; adapted from quadrupedalism to bipedalism; freed the hands

Question 22

what is paleonanthropology?

Answer 22

the study of bone and stone remains of our ancient ancestors from millions of years ago.

Question 23

what is human Variation?

Answer 23

The study of the physical differences and similarities of existing human populations.