Human Evolution Part1 Lecture 4

Question 1

What was the original primate ancestors called and what 2 groups did it split into

Answer 1

Euarchonta and then splits into Prosimians and Simians (Anthropoids)

Question 2

Explain the characteristics of Prosimians

Answer 2

Grasping fingers and toes
Binoculars vision
Mostly nocturnal
Mostly arboreal

Question 3

Explain the characteristics of Simians

Answer 3

Overlapping fields of vision
Opposing thumbs
Live in groups
Mostly diurnal

Direct ancestors of monkey and hominids

Question 4

What species do hominidae consist of

Answer 4

Orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, humans

Question 5

How similar are humans and chimps

Answer 5

96% similar overall
99% similar in coding DNA
Similar genetics but differences in how those genes are expressed

Question 6

Key characterises of apes

Answer 6

Large brain relative to their body size
Flexible behaviour
Tail less
Some slightly social

Question 7

Development of feet

Answer 7

From hanging in trees to walking on flat surfaces

Question 8

Differences in anatomy between chimps and hominina

Answer 8

CHIMP spine curved, arms longer than legs, long narrow pelvis, femur angles out
HOMININA spine s shaped, arms shorter than legs, bowl shaped pelvis, femur angles in

Question 9

Describe the ardipithecus ramidus (4.4 MYA)

Answer 9

Chimp sized brain
Broader diet than modern chips
Recently discovered

Question 10

Describe the Australopithecus

Answer 10

Round jaw, brain size 35% human size, stocky build, large teeth and jaws, various ways of walking but can walk upright

Question 11

Describe the Lucy (3.2 MYA)

Answer 11

Found in Ethiopia
Skeleton 40% complete
Human like teeth
Ape like head

Question 12

Describe the homo habilis (2.5 MYA)

Answer 12

Short status
Disproportionally long arms
Larger brain 50% human brain
Shorter jaw

Question 13

Describe the homo erectus (2 MYA)

Answer 13

5 feet tall
Long straight legs
Thick skull with steep forehead
Larger brain proportional to humans now
Rounded jaw
Ability to talk?

Question 14

Characteristics of homo erectus

Answer 14

Used crude tools
Built fires
Social groups
Cave dwellers

Question 15

Describe the neadnderthal man

Answer 15

Similar height
Larger skulls and heavy bony ridges of brows
Bigger brain than modern humans

Question 16

Characteristics of the neadnderthal man

Answer 16

Made diverse tools
Lived in huts and caves
Took care of injured and sick
Buried dead (symbolic thinking )

Question 17

Describe the cro-magnon man

Answer 17

“Early modern humans”
Facial expresssions
Language
Complex social organisation

Question 18

Characteristics of cro-magnon man

Answer 18

Usually one offspring
Made cave paintings
Loss of body hair
Lengthened thumb
Successful hunters
Colonised plains and can run over great distances