Human Evolution Flashcards PDF

**Flashcard 1** **Q:** What are Australopithecines?\ **A:** A group of hominins that lived in Africa between approximately 4 million and 2 million years ago, known for their bipedalism and both human-like and ape-like traits. **Flashcard 2** **Q:** Who is Lucy?\ **A:** A famous Australopithecine...

**Flashcard 1** **Q:** What are Australopithecines?\ **A:** A group of hominins that lived in Africa between approximately 4 million and 2 million years ago, known for their bipedalism and both human-like and ape-like traits. **Flashcard 2** **Q:** Who is Lucy?\ **A:** A famous Australopithecine fossil discovered in 1974, classified as Australopithecus afarensis, estimated to be about 3.2 million years old. **Flashcard 3** **Q:** What is Sahelanthropus?\ **A:** An early hominin species that lived about 7 million years ago, possibly one of the oldest known human ancestors. **Flashcard 4** **Q:** What is the superfamily that includes humans and their closest relatives?\ **A:** Hominoidea. **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What are Hominoids?\ **A:** A family of primates that includes all apes (great and lesser) and humans. **Flashcard 6** **Q:** What are Anthropoids?\ **A:** A suborder of primates that includes monkeys, apes, and humans. **Flashcard 7** **Q:** What is the family classification that includes humans?\ **A:** Hominidae (or hominids). **Flashcard 8** **Q:** What is the genus that includes modern humans?\ **A:** Homo, which encompasses all human species, including Homo sapiens. **Flashcard 9** **Q:** What are Hominines?\ **A:** A subfamily of Hominidae that includes humans and their closest relatives, such as chimpanzees and bonobos. **Flashcard 10** **Q:** What are the primary characteristics of Australopithecines?\ **A:** Bipedalism, smaller brain size compared to modern humans, and a mix of ape-like and human-like features. **Flashcard 1** **Q:** When did the first hominids appear and where are they thought to have originated?\ **A:** Approximately 4-5 million years ago in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. **Flashcard 2** **Q:** What is the relationship between Australopithecines and later hominids?\ **A:** Australopithecines were early, apelike ancestors; later hominids showed more human-like features, having a human-like waist down and apelike traits above the waist, reflecting macroevolution. **Flashcard 3** **Q:** When did humans begin to walk upright?\ **A:** Bipedalism, or walking upright, began with hominids; evidence includes the Leakey footprints, which date back at least 3.4 million years. **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What is bipedalism?\ **A:** Bipedalism is the ability to walk on two legs, and it is considered the defining characteristic of humans. **Flashcard 2** **Q:** What are some key physiological changes associated with bipedalism?\ **A:** Key changes include adaptations in the skeletal structure, muscle arrangement, and overall body balance for efficient upright locomotion. **Flashcard 3** **Q:** How does bipedalism affect the pelvic region?\ **A:** The pelvis undergoes significant changes, becoming shorter and broader to support upright walking and stabilize the body during movement. **Flashcard 4** **Q:** In what way does bipedalism limit the size of the infant?\ **A:** The changes in pelvic structure create a narrower birth canal, which limits the size of infants to facilitate safer childbirth. **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What major geological events define seismic change?\ **A:** Continental plates shifting, Central Africa drying up, India moving north, and the formation of the Himalayas. **Flashcard 2** **Q:** During which epoch did hominoids primarily evolve?\ **A:** Miocene Epoch. **Flashcard 3** **Q:** What do LCA and MRCA stand for in evolutionary terms?\ **A:** LCA stands for Last Common Ancestor, and MRCA stands for Most Recent Common Ancestor. **Flashcard 4** **Q:** What is the time frame of the Pliocene Epoch, and what significant developments occurred?\ **A:** The Pliocene Epoch lasted from about 5 to 1.8 million years ago, during which hominids began to evolve. **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What characterized the Pleistocene Epoch?\ **A:** The Pleistocene Epoch, from about 1.8 million years ago to 12,000 years ago, was marked by repeated Ice Ages. **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What is Sahelanthropus tchadensis, and what does its name mean?\ **A:** Sahelanthropus tchadensis, also known as \"Toumai,\" is an early hominid that lived around 6-7 million years ago. Its name means \"hope of life.\" **Flashcard 2** **Q:** What evidence exists regarding bipedalism in Sahelanthropus tchadensis?\ **A:** There is no definitive proof of bipedalism in Sahelanthropus tchadensis. **Flashcard 3** **Q:** Where was Sahelanthropus tchadensis discovered?\ **A:** Northern Chad. **Flashcard 4** **Q:** What significant fossil was found for Sahelanthropus tchadensis?\ **A:** A nearly complete skull. **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What is Orrorin tugenensis, and where was it discovered?\ **A:** Orrorin tugenensis is an early hominid found in Kenya, dating between 5.6 and 6.2 million years ago. **Flashcard 6** **Q:** What notable features were found in the Orrorin tugenensis fossils?\ **A:** The discovery included 13 fossils, notably a femur and mandible, with a slight point on the canine teeth. **Flashcard 7** **Q:** How does the femur of Orrorin tugenensis relate to bipedalism?\ **A:** The femur of Orrorin tugenensis shows features that are close to those of bipedal hominids, suggesting it may have walked upright. **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What is Ardipithecus ramidus known for?\ **A:** Ardipithecus ramidus is the first generally accepted member of the human lineage, dating back to around 4.4 million years ago. **Flashcard 2** **Q:** Where was Ardipithecus ramidus discovered?\ **A:** Ethiopia, with the name \"Ardi\" meaning \"ground floor.\" **Flashcard 3** **Q:** What types of materials were found alongside Ardipithecus ramidus fossils?\ **A:** Fossilized wood and seed material, indicating a wooded environment. **Flashcard 4** **Q:** When did Australopithecus anamensis live, and when was it discovered?\ **A:** Australopithecus anamensis lived around 4.2 million years ago and was discovered in 1995, although some evidence dates back to 1965. **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What is significant about Australopithecus anamensis?\ **A:** It is considered the earliest Australopithecine, representing an important stage in human evolution. **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What is the time frame of the Pliocene Epoch?\ **A:** The Pliocene Epoch lasted from about 5 to 1.8 million years ago. **Flashcard 2** **Q:** How were the continents positioned during the Pliocene Epoch?\ **A:** The continents were in positions similar to today. **Flashcard 3** **Q:** What geographic features were significant during the Pliocene?\ **A:** The Isthmus of Panama was formed, and the Mediterranean Sea played a crucial role in shaping environments. **Flashcard 4** **Q:** Describe the environment of West Africa during the Pliocene.\ **A:** West Africa was forested and very humid. **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What was the environment like in East Africa during the Pliocene?\ **A:** East Africa was dry and covered with grasslands. **Flashcard 6** **Q:** What evolutionary changes occurred during the Pliocene Epoch regarding Miocene hominoids?\ **A:** Miocene hominoids became reproductively isolated, leading to speciation; eastern ones adapted to bipedalism for survival. **Flashcard 7** **Q:** What was the significance of the Miocene Epoch?\ **A:** The Miocene Epoch is noted for the rise of hominoids. **Flashcard 8** **Q:** What is the significance of the Pliocene Epoch?\ **A:** The Pliocene Epoch is marked by the rise of hominids. **Flashcard 9** **Q:** What occurred during the Pleistocene Epoch?\ **A:** The Pleistocene Epoch is characterized by the rise of hominines, which includes modern humans. **Flashcard 1** **Q:** When did a significant amount of fieldwork begin in Africa?\ **A:** Since the 1960s, there has been extensive fieldwork in Africa. **Flashcard 2** **Q:** What are two major problems faced in African fieldwork?\ **A:** 1. Fossils are often encased in stone, making discovery difficult.\ 2. Information is not shared quickly due to tremendous competition among researchers. **Flashcard 3** **Q:** Which regions in East Africa are notable for hominid fossil discoveries?\ **A:** Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Kenya, particularly in the Rift Valley. **Flashcard 4** **Q:** What is significant about the Rift Valley?\ **A:** It stretches 1,200 miles and is characterized by volcanic activity, making it a rich area for fossil discovery. **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What is Olduvai Gorge, and why is it important?\ **A:** Olduvai Gorge, often referred to as the \"Grand Canyon of East Africa,\" is an erosion gully 25 miles long with 300 feet of stratification, preserving 2.5 million years of hominid history. **Flashcard 6** **Q:** What sites in South Africa are significant for hominid fossils?\ **A:** Notable sites include Taung, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, Makapansgat, and Sterkfontein, all of which are limestone caves. **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What is the species name of \"Lucy\"?\ **A:** Australopithecus afarensis **Flashcard 2** **Q:** What is the nickname of the fossil known as \"Selam\"?\ **A:** Lucy\'s baby **Flashcard 3** **Q:** How old was Selam when she died?\ **A:** 3 years old **Flashcard 4** **Q:** What feature of Selam is considered intact?\ **A:** Face **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What type of teeth did Selam have?\ **A:** Milk teeth **Flashcard 6** **Q:** What type of teeth was Selam beginning to develop?\ **A:** Permanent set **Flashcard 7** **Q:** What part of Selam\'s body is complete and significant for studies?\ **A:** Torso **Flashcard 8** **Q:** Which bone found in Selam is important for understanding vocalization?\ **A:** Hyoid bone **Flashcard 9** **Q:** What was Selam\'s sex?\ **A:** Female **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What is the earliest known species in the human lineage?\ **A:** Ardipithecus ramidus (5.8-4.2 million years ago) **Flashcard 2** **Q:** What is the name of the Australopithecine species that lived from 4.2 to 3.8 million years ago?\ **A:** Australopithecus anamensis **Flashcard 3** **Q:** Which Australopithecine species lived from 3.8 to 3.0 million years ago?\ **A:** Australopithecus afarensis **Flashcard 4** **Q:** What is the nickname of Australopithecus afarensis?\ **A:** Lucy **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What is the name of \"Lucy's baby\" that belongs to Australopithecus afarensis?\ **A:** Selam **Flashcard 6** **Q:** Which Australopithecine species lived from 3.0 to 2.0 million years ago?\ **A:** Australopithecus africanus **Flashcard 7** **Q:** What is the name of the Australopithecine that lived from 2.4 to 2.0 million years ago?\ **A:** Australopithecus boisei **Flashcard 8** **Q:** Which species lived from 2.0 to 1.0 million years ago?\ **A:** Australopithecus robustus **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What was Raymond Dart\'s nationality?\ **A:** Australian **Flashcard 2** **Q:** Which Australopithecine species did Dart primarily study?\ **A:** Australopithecus africanus **Flashcard 3** **Q:** What nickname is often given to Australopithecus africanus?\ **A:** \"Southern ape of Africa\" **Flashcard 4** **Q:** What is the name of the famous fossil discovered by Dart?\ **A:** Taung Child **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What significant feature did Dart create from the Taung Child\'s skull?\ **A:** Endocast **Flashcard 6** **Q:** How old was the Taung Child estimated to be at death?\ **A:** 3-4 years old **Flashcard 7** **Q:** What shape does the dental arch of Australopithecus africanus exhibit?\ **A:** Parabolic arch **Flashcard 8** **Q:** What dental development is noted in the Taung Child?\ **A:** First molars erupted **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What was Raymond Dart\'s profession?\ **A:** Anatomist **Flashcard 2** **Q:** What term is associated with Dart\'s perspective on evolution?\ **A:** \"Darwellian\" **Flashcard 3** **Q:** How many fossils did Dart reportedly have in a box for study?\ **A:** 200 fossils **Flashcard 4** **Q:** What significant feature did Dart create from his fossil studies?\ **A:** Endocast **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What was the name of the famous hoax fossil that Dart\'s findings contrasted with?\ **A:** Piltdown Man **Flashcard 6** **Q:** Who was the prominent anatomist that Dart\'s findings challenged?\ **A:** Sir Arthur Keith **Flashcard 7** **Q:** Which famous author is associated with the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes and wrote about evolution?\ **A:** Arthur Conan Doyle **Flashcard 1** **Q:** In what year was Flourine Analysis prominently discussed in relation to fossils?\ **A:** 1953 **Flashcard 2** **Q:** What type of skull was analyzed using Flourine Analysis?\ **A:** Roman era skull **Flashcard 3** **Q:** From which species was a mandible used in the analysis derived?\ **A:** Orangutan **Flashcard 4** **Q:** Where did some theories suggest hominids evolved according to earlier findings?\ **A:** Europe **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What is the prevailing theory regarding the origin of modern humans?\ **A:** African origin **Flashcard 6** **Q:** Who are considered the closest relatives to humans in the evolutionary tree?\ **A:** Chimpanzees and bonobos **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What is a common term used for mythological creatures resembling giant hominoids?\ **A:** Sasquatch **Flashcard 2** **Q:** Where is Sasquatch primarily reported?\ **A:** United States, particularly the Pacific Northwest **Flashcard 3** **Q:** What is the name of the mythological giant hominoid reported in Tibet?\ **A:** Yeti **Flashcard 4** **Q:** In what year was Nebraska Man first identified?\ **A:** 1922 **Flashcard 5** **Q:** From what geological period are the deposits that Nebraska Man was found in?\ **A:** Pliocene deposits **Flashcard 6** **Q:** What famous trial in the 1920s was related to the teaching of evolution?\ **A:** Scopes Monkey Trial **Flashcard 7** **Q:** What play, inspired by the Scopes Monkey Trial, is titled "Inherit the Wind"?\ **A:** \"Inherit the Wind\" **Flashcard 8** **Q:** Where have reports of giant hominoids been found?\ **A:** Worldwide, on every continent **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What is the time range during which Australopithecus afarensis lived?\ **A:** 3.8-3.0 million years ago **Flashcard 2** **Q:** How tall was Australopithecus afarensis on average?\ **A:** 3.5 to 4.5 feet tall **Flashcard 3** **Q:** What was the approximate weight of Australopithecus afarensis?\ **A:** About 100 pounds **Flashcard 4** **Q:** In what type of social groups did Australopithecus afarensis live?\ **A:** Small groups **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What were the primary dietary habits of Australopithecus afarensis?\ **A:** Scavengers and foragers **Flashcard 6** **Q:** What human trait is indicated by the social behavior of sharing food?\ **A:** Sharing food as a social behavior **Flashcard 7** **Q:** What does the term \"home base\" refer to in the context of Australopithecus afarensis?\ **A:** A central location where groups would gather and share resources **Flashcard 8** **Q:** Did Australopithecus afarensis use tools?\ **A:** No tools, but there were cut marks on bones indicating meat processing **Flashcard 9** **Q:** What type of animal bones were found in high percentages at Australopithecus afarensis sites?\ **A:** Antelope bones **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What is the full name of the fossil known as \"Lucy\"?\ **A:** Lucy \"Dinquinesh\" (meaning \"beautiful thing\") **Flashcard 2** **Q:** What is the catalog number for Lucy?\ **A:** AL-288-1 **Flashcard 3** **Q:** In what year was Lucy discovered?\ **A:** 1974 **Flashcard 4** **Q:** What percentage of Lucy\'s skeleton was found?\ **A:** 40% complete **Flashcard 5** **Q:** Who was the primary researcher involved in Lucy\'s discovery?\ **A:** Donald Johansson **Flashcard 6** **Q:** Where was Lucy discovered?\ **A:** Site 333, AL-333 **Flashcard 7** **Q:** How many individuals were discovered at the same site as Lucy?\ **A:** 13 individuals **Flashcard 8** **Q:** How many bones were recovered from the Lucy specimen?\ **A:** Approximately 200 bones **Flashcard 9** **Q:** What range of ages did the discovered individuals cover?\ **A:** Infants to adults **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What is the evidence regarding tool use in the species being discussed?\ **A:** No evidence of tool use of any kind **Flashcard 2** **Q:** What type of diet did this species primarily have?\ **A:** Foragers **Flashcard 3** **Q:** What types of food did they consume?\ **A:** Fruits, nuts, and vegetables **Flashcard 4** **Q:** Which types of plants were considered part of their diet?\ **A:** Grasses and seeds, including sunflowers and pod plants **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What root tuber crops were included in their diet?\ **A:** Potato, cassava, and yams **Flashcard 6** **Q:** What is the obvious question regarding competition for resources?\ **A:** How can a form with our approximate power of vision, better sense of smell, and greater muscle strength compete for resources in a predator-rich environment? **Flashcard 7** **Q:** What physical traits might limit this species in predator-rich environments?\ **A:** No claws, no long canines, and no protective coloration **Flashcard 8** **Q:** What aspect of their social behavior is suggested?\ **A:** Some sort of social structure **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What can humans carry while standing on their own two feet?\ **A:** Tools, infants, and food **Flashcard 2** **Q:** What did Darwin believe about bipedalism?\ **A:** It was advantageous for carrying items. **Flashcard 3** **Q:** Why was bipedalism important for hunting?\ **A:** It allowed for carrying weapons and transporting food back. **Flashcard 4** **Q:** What types of food did early humans forage for?\ **A:** Seeds, nuts, and grasses **Flashcard 5** **Q:** Why did foragers need to stand to reach certain food sources?\ **A:** To access things in bushes and lower branches. **Flashcard 6** **Q:** How does standing benefit surveillance?\ **A:** It is the best way to observe prey and predators. **Flashcard 7** **Q:** What characteristic of primates relates to their bipedalism?\ **A:** Primates are very curious. **Flashcard 8** **Q:** What does bipedalism enable for travel?\ **A:** Long-distance movement in small bands in search of resources. **Flashcard 9** **Q:** Which gender is suggested to have been bipedal first for provisioning?\ **A:** Males, for carrying food or for defensive purposes. **Flashcard 1** **Q:** What significant event occurred around 2 million years ago concerning our immediate ancestors?\ **A:** They reproductively isolated themselves from the Australopithecines, leading to speciation. **Flashcard 2** **Q:** Which two species lived in the same general area in East Africa?\ **A:** Australopithecus boisei and Homo habilis **Flashcard 3** **Q:** How did Australopithecus boisei and Homo habilis occupy different ecological roles?\ **A:** They occupied different niches. **Flashcard 4** **Q:** What was the dietary preference of Australopithecus boisei?\ **A:** Vegetarian, thriving in a very arid area. **Flashcard 5** **Q:** What physical traits are associated with Australopithecus boisei?\ **A:** Large teeth and a sagittal crest. **Flashcard 6** **Q:** What were the dietary habits of Homo habilis?\ **A:** Vegetarian and scavenger. **Flashcard 7** **Q:** How does the dentition of Homo habilis compare to modern humans?\ **A:** Their teeth are similar to ours. **Flashcard 8** **Q:** What notable characteristic of Homo habilis is reflected in its name?\ **A:** \"Handyman,\" indicating tool use. **Flashcard 9** **Q:** What happened to Australopithecus boisei over time?\ **A:** It disappeared. **Flashcard 10** **Q:** How did Homo habilis fare in terms of survival compared to other species?\ **A:** Homo habilis survived and was eventually replaced by other hominids.