12 Questions
What is the primary driving force behind the process of evolution?
Natural selection
What is the name of the oldest known human ancestor?
Ardi
How do scientists determine the age of fossils?
By determining the depth of the fossil in the ground
What is one reason why human skulls have increased in volume over time?
To support a larger brain
What is a characteristic of Homo erectus that distinguishes them from earlier human ancestors?
Proportional arms and legs
What is one way in which human tools have changed over time?
They have become more complex and sophisticated
What is the significance of the pelvis structure in the evolution of humans?
It enabled upright walking
Which of the following is NOT a step in the process of evolution?
Instant adaptation to environment
What is the primary reason for the increase in skull volume in humans over time?
To increase brain size
Which of the following is an example of a physical adaptation in humans that distinguishes them from earlier ancestors?
Proportional arms and legs
What is the primary method used to determine the age of fossils?
All of the above
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Homo erectus?
Ape-like features
Study Notes
Evolution
- Evolution is the change of characteristics over time through a 4-step process: environmental change, variation in genes, natural selection, and genetic inheritance.
- These changes occur over time as populations reproduce and adapt to their environment.
Human Ancestors
- Ardi is the oldest known human ancestor, characterized by a small skull volume, long arms, and curved feet for climbing, with a pelvis for standing upright.
- Lucy had a slightly larger skull volume than Ardi, with ape-like features, but with a pelvis similar to modern humans.
- Homo erectus, dating back to 1.8 million years ago, had a large skull volume, proportional arms, and was no longer ape-like, becoming more human-like.
- Homo sapiens are modern humans, evolving from these ancestors.
Dating Fossils
- Fossil age can be traced by finding their depth in the ground, with deeper fossils being older.
- Alternative methods for dating fossils include carbon dating and radiometric dating.
Reasons for Human Evolution
- Increased skull volume allowed for a bigger brain.
- Changes in hands and legs enabled humans to walk upright and abandon climbing like apes.
- Development of more complex tools resulted from enhanced intelligence.
Evolution
- Evolution is the change of characteristics over time through a 4-step process: environmental change, variation in genes, natural selection, and genetic inheritance.
- These changes occur over time as populations reproduce and adapt to their environment.
Human Ancestors
- Ardi is the oldest known human ancestor, characterized by a small skull volume, long arms, and curved feet for climbing, with a pelvis for standing upright.
- Lucy had a slightly larger skull volume than Ardi, with ape-like features, but with a pelvis similar to modern humans.
- Homo erectus, dating back to 1.8 million years ago, had a large skull volume, proportional arms, and was no longer ape-like, becoming more human-like.
- Homo sapiens are modern humans, evolving from these ancestors.
Dating Fossils
- Fossil age can be traced by finding their depth in the ground, with deeper fossils being older.
- Alternative methods for dating fossils include carbon dating and radiometric dating.
Reasons for Human Evolution
- Increased skull volume allowed for a bigger brain.
- Changes in hands and legs enabled humans to walk upright and abandon climbing like apes.
- Development of more complex tools resulted from enhanced intelligence.
Learn about the 4-step process of evolution, including environmental change, genetic variation, natural selection, and adaptation. Discover the characteristics of Ardi, the oldest known human ancestor.
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