Glossary 3061 Flashcards
(24 cards)
Anthropoids
A suborder of primates consisting of the Old World monkeys, the New World monkeys and the great apes
Australopithecines (southern apes)
Early hominin species existing in Africa from about 4.5 million years ago to 2.5 million years ago
Biological evolution
Any genetic change in a population that is inherited and passed on genetically from one generation to the next
Cultural evolution
The transmission of ideas, knowledge, skills, tools and technology, language and art etc…. all of which is learned and not passed on genetically
Fossils
The remains of an organism that have been preserved in rock. Fossils provide evidence of simpler and more ancient life forms that existed previously and show a progression in complexity showing that life has evolved over time
Hominid
The group consisting of modern and extinct great apes - a group which includes modern humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orang-utans plus all their immediate ancestors
Hominid
The group consisting of modern and extinct great apes - a group which includes modern humans, chimpanzees, gorillas and urang-utans plus their immediate ancestors.
Hominin
The group consisting only of modern humans, human-like ancestors but also the chimpanzees
Homo erectus
Early hominin species existing in Aftica from about 1.8 million years ago to about 300 000 years ago. This is the species that controlled fire and walked out of Africa
Homo floresiensis
Early hominin species that lived about 18 000 years ago showing a mixture of primitive and advanced features, and may be a dwarf species that evolved from the earlier H. erectus.
Homo habilis
Early hominin species existing in Africa from about 2.5 to about 1.6 million years ago and the earliest stone toolmaker.
Homo habilis
Early hominin species existing in Africa from about 2.5 to 1.6 million years ago and the earliest stone toolmaker
Homo heidelbergensis
Early hominin species thought to be an ancestor of the Neanderthals and modern humans
Homo neanderthalensis
Early hominin species that existed in Europe from about 200 000 years ago to about 30 000 years ago. These people were thickset, muscular, and robust or stocky in build and were intelligent and resourceful and lived in social communities.
Homo sapiens
Anatomically modern humans, the result of a long line of biological evolution.
Homo sapiens idaltu
Early hominin species that may be the direct ancestor of modern humans as they are anatomically very similar to modern humans.
Locomotion
The method of movement in animals, such as brachiation, quadrupedal walking, knuckle walking or bipedal walking.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
DNA found in mitochondria, which is passed from mother to child and is used to track evolution through the maternal line.
Paleoanthropology
The study of fossils in order to learn about the anatomy of older hominid species.
Palaeontology
The study of fossils.
Radiometric dating
Used to find out the age of fossils, using radioactive chemical elements (isotopes) that decay at constant rates.
Primates
These are mammals with the following general features: they bear live young; they are warm-blooded (homeothermic); they suckle their young on milk secreted from mammary glands; they have hair and sweat glands; they have four types of teeth – incisors, canines, premolars and molars; and they have four-chambered hearts.
Prosimians
A suborder of primates consisting of lorises and lemurs.
Skeleton
The internal bone structure of animals that provides protection for internal organs and enables movement to take place.
