Evolutionary Relationships进化关系.pptVIP

1. Human Evolution EL: To summarise the evolution of humans Humans are mammals Humans belong to the class Mammalia Warm blooded Bear live young Hair or fur Mammary glands Teeth comprising incisors, canines, pre-canines and molars Lower jaw made of single bone Three bones in middle ear Humans are primates Humans belong to the Primate order Dextrous hands and feet with five digits that can grasp and curl (opposable thumb in some cases) Flattened nails on digits that are sensitive to touch Stereoscopic (3D) colour vision Small number of offspring with relatively long gestation Relatively large brains Primate taxonomy Humans are Hominoids No tail Five cusped molars Flattened rib cage Locomotion by brachiation, knuckle walking or bipedalism Postures is partially or fully erect allowing hands to manipulate food, care for young or use tools Humans are Hominins Bipedal locomotion Postures of foramen magnum is centered under the skull Larger brain than other apes – well developed cerebral cortex Smaller jaws and teeth very fine hair Shorter broader pelvis Hominins over time Trends in hominin evolution Genus Australopithecus 3.7 Mya Homo habilis 2.4 Mya Homo erectus 1.8 Mya Homo neanderthalensis 0.1 Mya-35,000 ya Homo sapiens 130,000 ya ONLY AFRICA OUTSIDE AFRICA 400-500ml INCREASING BRAIN SIZE 1350ml INCREASING TOOL MAKING ABILITY DECREASING SIZE OF TEETH AND SKULL STRUCTURES (INCLUDING BROW RIDGE) USE OF FIRE CULTURE LANGUAGE Cultural Evolution Involves transfer of non-genetic info (e.g. stories, beliefs, language, symbols etc) from one individual to another through learning and teaching Very fast transmission – especially now due to technology Technological evolution Humans have extended their capabilities and control over their environment by applying their knowledge of the natural world – this is technology We were able to do this because of bipedal locomotion and increased brain size Changing lifestyle of Homo sapiens Hunter-gatherer nomadic lifestyl