Download CHAPTER 12 HOMINIDS AND HOMININS PART 15 Primates, Apes

CHAPTER 12
HOMINIDS AND HOMININS
PART 15
Primates, Apes and monkeys, Characteristics- fossil structure, Bipedalism, opposable thumb, Large brain,
Australopithecus(afarensis,africanus), Paranthropus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo neanderthal, Homo florensis,
Homo sapiens,
Cultural evolution, tools, fire, painting, rituals, language,
Questions
List the major characteristics that distinguish mammals from other animals.
List the major characteristics that distinguish primates from other animals.
Why are opposable thumbs important to primates?
Why do netballers and footballers require good stereoscopic vision?
What features distinguish hominins from other primates.
Describe the location changes of the foramen magnum.
What changes in jaw and tooth structure have occurred during human evolution? Describe how these changes may be
linked to an increase in brain size.
Skull shape and size have changed during human evolution. Describe their changes and their significance.
What has been the limiting factor to a further increase in skull size?
What selective pressures might have led to an increased brain size?
Is it true to say that man has evolved from chimps and gorillas. If not , rephrase the statement.
Biologists talk of ‘physical evolution’ and ‘cultural evolution’. Many would argue that the latter is now more
important. What is the definition of culture?
1. Question 23
The skull of Kenyanthropus was discovered in 1999 in sediments between 3.2 and 3.5 million years old. The
skull is unusual in that it shows the combination of a small braincase, flat face and small teeth.
The following characteristics would be seen in the skull of Homo.
A. a small braincase and small teeth
B. a small braincase and a flat face
C. a flat face and small teeth
D. a flat face and large teeth
2. Question 6
The table below shows the number of nucleotide differences between a region of mitochondrial DNA in humans,
chimpanzees and a Neanderthal.
a. Based on the data in the table, which individual is most closely related to the Neanderthal?
b. The differences between the mitochondrial DNA recorded are the result of base substitutions. There are 77
nucleotide differences between Human 1 and Chimpanzee 1.
Explain why 77 nucleotide differences is a minimum number of base substitutions.
c. The Neanderthal DNA was extracted from a fossil approximately 25 000 years old.
i. What other type of information obtained from the fossil could be used to assist in determining the evolutionary
relationship of Neanderthals with humans and chimpanzees?
ii. What method would be used to estimate the absolute age of the Neanderthal fossil?
iii. What method could be used to determine the relative age of the Neanderthal fossil?
3. a. i. Which of the two skulls is the more ancient? ii. List one characteristic of this skull in support of your choice.
Although extensive searches have occurred, fossils classified in the genus Australopithecus and other early hominid
genera have been found only in Africa. Assume that these fossils in fact only exist in Africa.
b. What is a possible explanation for these fossils being limited to Africa alone?
4. Question 18
Homo neanderthalensis lived in Europe and Western Asia from approximately 250 000 to 28 000 years ago. In
comparison to modern day humans the Homo neanderthalensis possessed relatively
A. smaller brains.
B. smaller noses.
C. higher foreheads.
D. more prominent brow ridges.
5. Question 19
Evidence of hominid cultural evolution can be found in the fossil record.
This evidence would include
A. position of the attachment of the spine to the head.
B. length of arm bones in comparison to leg bones.
C. number of teeth present in the skull.
D. presence of stone tools.
6. Question 21 Hominids are believed to have evolved in Africa because
A. the oldest hominid fossils have been found in Africa.
B. the most hominid fossils have been found in Africa.
C. monkey fossils were found in Africa.
D. Africa is the oldest continent.
7. Question 22 Consider the following diagrams of skulls.
The skull most likely to be that of a chimpanzee is
A. W
B. X
C. Y
D. Z
Question 23
There is evidence that Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis coexisted in Europe more than 30 000 years
ago. Both of these species left signs of cultural evolution from this period. An example of evidence which would show
that cultural evolution was occurring in these groups at this time is
A. animal remains close to a Homo skeleton .
B.. male and female skeletons in the same area.
C. drawings and carvings on rocks
D. Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis skeletons in the same area.
Question 22
Consider the following diagrams of Hominid skulls.
The correct sequence of evolution, from oldest to
youngest, of the Hominid species shown is
A. 2, 3, 1
B. 3, 1, 2
C. 1, 2, 3
D. 2, 1, 3