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Human Biology ATAR > hominids and hominins > Flashcards

hominids and hominins Flashcards

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1
Q

primates

A

order of humans
evidence: fossils and comparative anatomy

humans:
primates-> haplorrhini->simiiformes->hominoidea-> hominidae-> homininae->homo->sapiens

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2
Q

primate characteristics

A

body, limbs: unspecialised

hands/feet: pentadactyl, nails, grasping ringers and gripping toes with friction ridges for gripping, first digit opposable

eyes: forward facing for stereoscopic vision, most distinguish colour
smell: poor sense of smell
teeth: 4 incisors in both upper and lower jaw
brain: large and complex, cerebrum size increase and primates evolved
reproduction: not restricted to breeding system, rhythmic sexual cycle, long period of parental care for offspring

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3
Q

hominids

A

family=hominidae

characteristics:
- larger more complex brain than other primates (increased cognitive ability)
- 5 cusps in molar teeth of lower jaw
- arms that freely rotate at shoulders
- wide, shallow chest cavity
- no external tail
- appendix
- diurnal

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4
Q

cerebral cortex

A

trend: increased in size
cerebral cortex: deals with vision, memory, reasoning and manipulative ability
arboreal environment led to large brain for body size: environment favours more accurate vision and tactile perception (more reliant on vision than smell)

frontal lobe had greatest enlargement: higher functions (problem solving, thinking, reasoning planning and processing)

strong pattern of convolutions: allow SA of brain to be greatly increased.

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5
Q

increase in cerebral cortex size

A

enable moving about, locating food, social skills, tool making

tool making (instead of make): requires predetermined image of what tool looks like, requires highly developed brain

greater variety of behavioural responses for variety of environmental problems
eg. grooming: reinforces relationships

large brain requires large cranium

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6
Q

cranial capacity

A

measuring volume inside the cranium using endocast

determines brain size

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7
Q

mobility of digits

A

primate limbs unspecialised leads to diversity in use

pentadactyl, very mobile ->arboreal environment
prehensile digits required for tree climbing

trend: increased ability to move digits independently of each other

opposability: (depends on length of 1st digit compared to the other 4)
human toe = not opposable
human have longest thumb
human hand: short, broad, straight fingers w/ long strong thumb

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8
Q

power grip

A

thumb and finger apply force to palm to transmit force to an object

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9
Q

precision grip

A

grasping object between thumb tip and fingertip
handling small delicate objects well
shows presence of truly opposable thumb

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10
Q

locomotion

A

quad->bi

humans: bipedal locomotion with striding gait

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11
Q

foramen magnum

A

hole where brain joins spinal cord

trend: moved forward to become more central
allows skull to balance
apes need large neck muscles to hold head in position, humans don’t (weight of skull borne by vertebral column)

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12
Q

spinal column curvature

A

c-> s
allow upright posture
improves balance upright, and allows head to balance
cervical curve in neck brings vertebral column directly under centre of gravity of skull

double curvature: lumbar vertebrae are wedge-shaped from front to back (forms forward jutting curve)

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13
Q

jaw

A

apes: protruding, humans: flat

reduced prognathism: skull balance
equal weight infant of and behind FM

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14
Q

pelvis

A

broad, short, bowl-shaped
BS: supports abdominal organs when standing erect
-> better stability for bipedal

broad hip bones: allow space for attachment of large buttock muscles-> move body, keep body erect

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15
Q

carrying angle

A

human: shape and orientation of pelvis means acetabulum right under trunk and head
- > allows body weight to be transferred to legs from pelvis

acetabulum further apart: femurs converge at knees

carrying angle: arrangement of thigh bones to form angle to vertical
-> ensures weight distribution remains close to central axis of body when walking

human: weight falls through outside of femur
-> enables striding gait: body rotated about lower leg and foot-> footsteps follow a straight line
better stability upright

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16
Q

knee

A

weight transferred to outside of femur to knee
knee joint: two part hinge joint (condyle)
-> hinge on either side of ligaments in middle of joint
thus: outer hinge larger and stronger since weight is transmitted there

centre of gravity: falls through a line in front of knees

  • > thus: force that tries to bend knee backwards exists -> resisted by ligaments making up knee joint
  • > natural resistance= joint that requires no energy to support erect posture
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17
Q

foot

A

weight: knee joint-> tibia -> talus-> tarsal bones-> metatarsals-> then phalanges via foot arches-> big toe

foot lost prehensility to become locomotory organ

big toe: large and aligned alongside other toes

metatarsals from transverse and longitudinal arch-> enables bipedal

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18
Q

centre of gravity

A

point where gravity is concentrated

human: lower centre of gravity-> have longer legs than arms that increase stride length
lower centre of gravity: stability when walking/standing

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19
Q

muscle tone

A

partial contraction of skeletal muscles
eg. head erect: back neck muscles are partially contracted

muscles that help with upright position:

  • muscles that bring about movement of the spine, hip, knee, ankle
  • abdominal muscles
  • maintained by nervous system and sense organs
20
Q

striding gait

A

walking upright that hip and knee are fully straightened

21
Q

foot and striding gait

A

the foot:

  • weight transmission: heel->outside of foot-> ball-> crosses ball via transverse arch-> big toe
  • thus: final moment of striding: whole weight propelled by big toe

big toe lost opposability to evolve into weight bearing appendage
transverse arch is shock absorber

22
Q

pelvis and striding gait

A

trunk rotates around pelvis whilst walking
-> forward swinging of arms compensates for natural rotation of body (right arm when left leg)

arm swinging: keep shoulder 90º to direction of travel and less energy expended. otherwise energy wasted in reversing rotation of body

23
Q

femur arrangement and striding gait

A

converge at knee

stability whilst walking
body can be rotated about lower leg and foot
->weight distribution close to central axis

24
Q

advantage of bipedalism

A

favours low speed and long distance

  • energy efficient way of moving
  • hands free (tools/carry items)
  • greater height to see further
  • less body exposed to sunlight
  • increased exposure to breezes and increased cooling mechanisms
25
Q

dentition

A

primates have deciduous and permanent teeth

dental formulas: number of teeth and shape
natural selection led to decrease in teeth number
-> reduction in face size and jaw that occurred in primates

OWM, primates, humans: 2:1:2:3

  • > OWM have large canines projecting beyond level of teeth
  • > diastema: gap between upper canine and incisor to accommodate lower canine so mouth can close

to allow for large upper canine: crown of first lower premolar is slanted back with sharp edge
-> upper canine fits tight and is sharpened by grinding against premolar

4 cusps upper
5 cusps lower
->evolved due to fruit diet of apes

human dentition: canines don’t project/interlock

  • > more similar to incisors
  • > small teeth take up less jaw space
  • > thus: dental arcade evolved from u shape to parabolic
26
Q

prognathism and brow ridges

A

non human apes and early homies have increased prognathism and brow ridge

trend: teeth size decreased so face flattened, chin developed and prominent nose

bipedalism: flatter face shirts weight to central position
to allow skull to balance when upright

frontal lobe increased: brain occupies larger volume
->cranium extends forward and brow ridge decreased
flatter face and noticeable forehead

27
Q

ape like

A 
thicker cranium bones
smaller cranial capacity
heavy brow ridges
no/sloping forehead
lower cranium
less prominent cheekbones
saggital crest
FM post central
larger prognathic jaw
heavy thick mandible
no chin
larger teeth
diastema
prominent canine
incisor and molar size difference
narrow pelvis
less wedge shaped LV
wide ribcage
shorter less mobile thumb
long curved fingers
parallel femurs
arms longer
28
Q

human like

A 
thinner cranium bones
larger cranial capacity
reduced brow ridges
vertical forehead
dome cranium
prominent cheekbones
no crest
central FM
flatter face and smaller jaw 
slender/thinner mandible
chin
smaller teeth
no diastema
less prominent canine
even teeth
broader pelvis
wedge shaped LV
smaller ribcage
longer thumb with increased opposability
shorter straight fingers
converging femurs
arms shorter
29
Q

australopithecines

A 
from laetoli footprints:
bipedal (varying gait to humans)
lateral transmission of weight
longitudinal arch
parallel big toe

canine: short non projecting
no diastema, parabolic shape
low forehead
more projected jaw
femur, pelvis, carrying angle more human like
non opposable robust big toe
rounded skull at the back
s shaped spine= upright stance
thumb shorter and less mobile than humans
->heavier finger-> better adapted to power grip (arboreal?)

30
Q

afarensis v africanus

A 
afarensis:
430cm^3
2.8-3.9 mya
east africa
F= 105-110cm, M=150 cm
low sloping forehead
short sagittal crest for males
diastema
curved fingers
africanus:
457cm^3
2-3.2 mya
south africa
F= 110cm, M= 135cm
slightly arched forehead
smaller brow ridge
no diastema
some curvature of fingers
31
Q

Paranthropus robustus

A

542cm^3
1.2-1.8 mya
not ancestor of humans: part of evolutionary branch with no descendants
robust jaw and skull
F=1m, M= 1.2m
large sagittal crest: for attachment of strong chewing muscles
large molars and premolars, small incisors and canines
less prognathism than australopithecines
wide dish shaped face with zygomatic arch
heavy brow ridges

32
Q

homo habilis

A 
590cm^3
1.5-2.3 mya
east and South Africa
compared to australopithecines: larger brain, smaller teeth->meat in diet, taller, more erect
F= 110cm
M= 130cm
rounder skull
smaller brow ridge
central FM
moderate prognathism
parabolic jaw
shot legs long arms
curved finger bones: strong power grip
able to form precision grip
-> adept at tool making
33
Q

homo erectus

A 
1004cm^3
first humans to show modern human like body
-> life on ground 
larger brain
curve of dental arcade: shorter and rounder at front
shorter compact jaw, chin beginning to form
modern teeth (similar diet?)
use of fire and tools
145-185cm
short stocky body with thicker bones
low sloping forehead
defined brow ridge
large thick jaw without chin
decrease in molar size
34
Q

homo neanderthalensis

A

Europe, Asia, northern Africa
side brach along pathway to modern human

1485cm^3
adapted to colder environments
->big faces
- low large skulls
- heavy brow ridges
- slightly larger brain

back of skull drawn in to bun (occipital bun)
lacked chin
swept back cheeks: streamlined appearance
robust but larger brain
prognathism: accentuated by way nasal bone protrudes
-> larger, wider nose-> adaptation for environment

short (M=150cm)
->limbs shorter heavily jointed with powerful muscles
more heavily built than humans
barrels shaped chest
thick neck muscles

large skull with large brain
-> extra brain capacity for control of extra muscles

35
Q

Homo sapiens

A 
Cro magnon: first anatomically modern people in Europe
40 000 to 12 000 ya
member of our species
- shorter skulls and higher
- rounded skull
- less prominent brow ridge
- reduced face projection
- smaller jaw
- chin developed
- broad and short face
- eye sockets well separated
large brain, hunter gatherers

1350cm^3

36
Q

neanderthals v sapiens

A 
neanderthals:
28 000 - 300 000 ya
shorter more robust
wider shoulders
F: 156cm, M: 168cm
long low brain case
occipital bun
thick brown ridge
receding foreheads elongated skull
flared zygomatic arch
depression at back of skull for neck muscle attachment
shorter thicker limbs with large joints
large robust prognathic jaw
lacking chin
large teeth
barrel shaped ribcage
sapiens:
300 000 to present
short slender trunks 
long limbs
F: 160 cm, M: 175cm
short base
high brain case
short jaw
bony chin
Long leg with short arms
straight fingers and toes
less barrel shaped ribcage
37
Q

culture

A

anything that is learnt

cultural development is important to overcome environmental challenges
cultural evolution: gradual improvement in culture, overcoming environmental and other challenges

38
Q

australopithecines tools

OLDOWAN

A

HOME bases
no fire use evidence

pebble tools (choppers, scrapers, flakes, chisels)
required precision grip
2.5mya
tools marked start of cultural evolution
-> allowed them to exploit more habitats
39
Q

homo habilis

OLDOWAN

A

used oldowan tools
-> sharpened by striking one rock to another
(skinning animals, chopping meat, breaking open bones, crushing plants, digging edible plant roots)

hunter gatherers: diet consisted of plant materials, supplementing meat -> provided complex fats for brain growth
-> worked in groups with specific roles: food brought back was shared

bulge of Broca (speech production area): pressure to speak spoken language. rudimentary speech
-> larynx not capable of making complex sounds

both hunter and scavenger: shown by recovered bones with cuts made by stone tools

40
Q

homo erectus

ACHEULIAN

A

trend: becoming more independent of environment
tools: tear drop shaped. flaked around edges to forms bi faced lumps: used as hand axes

found in France (stone and bone)
organised: logical thought and working together

more systematic tool use: increased commitment to meat eating

FIRE

mutual cooperation needed to create complex society

41
Q

FIRE

A

kept predators away at night
warmth
light at night
used to stampede animals
important for migration during ice age
enabled cooking of food: increased food range by improving flavour and digestibility
-> made food safe to eat (destroyed parasites)

42
Q

Homo neanderthalensis

MOUSTERIAN

A

trend: becoming more independent of environment

MOUSTERIAN: production of stone flakes trimmed to form various cutting, scraping, piercing and gouging tools

  • LEVALLOIS technique: piece of stone trimmed to disc shape, struck by another stone to produce flakes that were flat on one side and had sharp edges
  • > slow labour intensive, required planning and foresight (significant development of foresight)

flake tools joined to handle/spear/arrow by hafting

increased brain capacity due to increased importance of meat
flake tools enabled those living in colder climates to become good clothe makers

buried their dead: ceremonial burial, spirituality

43
Q

Homo sapien
AURIGNACIAN
SOLUTREAN
MAGDALENIAN

A

finer baldes, projectile weapons
~40 000 modern humans moved to Europe
-> brought clothes and shelter -> helped survive winter

AURIGNACIAN: blades made by removing long, flat rectangles from the core stone, easy to handles, effective in cutting

SOLUTREAN: willow leaf, laurel leaf points.

  • > made by carefully retouching blades produced from original stone core by pressure flaking
  • > for aesthetics

MAGDALENIAN: bone and antler > flint and stone for tools and art

  • > made by using a burin, chisel like cutter (tool used for making other tools)
  • > burin: blade shaped so it had a sharp cutting point
  • bone and antler and ivory cut to make orange of tools from fine needles to barbed spear points and spear throwers
44
Q

trends in tool use

A
  • increased manipulation of materials
  • increased complexity of tools
  • greater variety of materials being used to make tools
  • improved workmanship and development of equipment needed to make tools
  • increased specialisation of tools
45
Q 
OLDOWAN
ACHEULIAN
MOUSTERIAN
AURIGNACIAN
SOLUTREAN
MAGDALENIAN
A

olduvai Africa. 2.6-1.7 mya.

st acheul France, 1.7-200 000

Le moustier France. 200 000- 40 000

Aurignac France. 43 000-26 000

Solutre France. 22 000- 19000

Le madeleine France. 18000-12000

Human Biology ATAR (24 decks)

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