Successful reproduction Flashcards
For extended childhood, having fewer young means the mother can…
Invest more time and energy in the infant - learns more complex behaviour & skills (language & tool use)
What are the two aspects to successful reproduction?
Extended childhood
Delayed puberty
Primate mothers hold their babies as they move through the trees so …
Single births are more appropriate
Single births also lead to a trend towards bigger-brained infants as…
More nutrients needed, so single foetus can obtain more from mother = bigger brained when born
Although more dependant on the mother, they’re born with some…
Innate behaviour patterns to help its survival
Early humans also developed the culture of…
Food sharing
Food sharing improved the survival of humans as it made it easier to raise big brained off springs and…
Cement social relationships
Young primates also engage in play, which enables them to practice adult skills like…
Fighting, finding food and interacting with others
Delayed puberty enables a longer childhood so what is delayed?
Sexual maturity
Delayed puberty means although the brain is highly developed at birth, the reproductive organs do not grow significantly until puberty meaning a…
Longer dependency period on its parents
A longer dependency period on its parents ensures humans can’t reproduce until…
They have reached social maturity themselves, as caring for a highly dependent infant requires considerable skills in the parent
Delayed puberty also allows…
Intellectual and cultural development
Cultural and intellectual development results in?
- Better contribution by child to society when grown up
- More caring society with better parental care
- Increases infant survival favours fewer births and longer pregnancy
