Unit 5: Genetics, evolution & biodiversity 5H.2 Genetics & evolution; human evolution By Mr. Wilson

Humans as primates

Features of all primates: Features of all primates: Pentadactyly (with opposing thumbs & fingernails as opposed to claws). Pentadactyly (with opposing thumbs & fingernails as opposed to claws). Forward facing colour binocular vision. Forward facing colour binocular vision. Shortened snout Shortened snout Several types of teeth/dental pattern. Several types of teeth/dental pattern. Stereoscopic vision (depth perception). Stereoscopic vision (depth perception). 2 bones in forearm & lower leg. 2 bones in forearm & lower leg.

Humans as primates

Primate trends & behaviour: Primate trends & behaviour: Towards vertical posture. Towards vertical posture. Towards longer lives. Towards longer lives. Towards increased brain size with more visual & less olfactory areas. Towards increased brain size with more visual & less olfactory areas. Limbs, hands & feet to grip & climb. Limbs, hands & feet to grip & climb. Social, bonding & learning. Social, bonding & learning. Hand to mouth feeding. Hand to mouth feeding.

Humans as primates The evolution of primates has much to do with: BRACHIATION. The evolution of primates has much to do with: BRACHIATION.

Variety of primates Complete the worksheet on primate variety using the internet. Complete the worksheet on primate variety using the internet. Think about: Think about: Examples. Examples. Morphology & specialised features. Morphology & specialised features. Habitat/global distribution. Habitat/global distribution. Behaviour. Behaviour. Feeding. Feeding.

Evidence for human evolution The idea of a common ancestor: The idea of a common ancestor: Humans and chimpanzees share about 99% of their DNA, but it is widely held that humans did not descend from chimpanzees, but rather branched off at different times from a common ancestral line (they shared a common ancestor). Humans and chimpanzees share about 99% of their DNA, but it is widely held that humans did not descend from chimpanzees, but rather branched off at different times from a common ancestral line (they shared a common ancestor). The common ancestor was probably ‘Dryopithecus’. The common ancestor was probably ‘Dryopithecus’.

Dryopithecus

Evidence for human evolution; hominids The family Hominidae (great apes): The family Hominidae (great apes): Humans, orangutans, gorillas & chimpanzees. Humans, orangutans, gorillas & chimpanzees. All have larger brains & brachian style of movement (related to elongated arms and upright posture). All have larger brains & brachian style of movement (related to elongated arms and upright posture). Chimpanzees and gorillas can use simple tools and be taught, with varying success, sign language. Chimpanzees and gorillas can use simple tools and be taught, with varying success, sign language. Note your partial brachial ability. Note your partial brachial ability.

Evidence for human evolution; hominids Note that Hominidae is a FAMILY and Homo is a GENUS. Note that Hominidae is a FAMILY and Homo is a GENUS. Pan is a genus of chimpanzee species. Pan is a genus of chimpanzee species.

Evidence for human evolution; hominids

Australopithecines Believed to have evolved from a common ancestor along with Pan and Homo genera about Believed to have evolved from a common ancestor along with Pan and Homo genera about 4-5 mya. Common species were A. afarensis, A. africanus, A. robustus and A. boisei. Common species were A. afarensis, A. africanus, A. robustus and A. boisei.

Australopithecus afarensis Comparisons with Apes & Homo: Comparisons with Apes & Homo: Bipedal and erect mode of walking. Bipedal and erect mode of walking. Smaller canine teeth than apes. Smaller canine teeth than apes. No evidence for higher intelligence or extensive tool use. No evidence for higher intelligence or extensive tool use. Larger cranial capacity than apes. Larger cranial capacity than apes. It was believed that increased cranial capacity had to have evolved before bipedalism, but Australopithecine fossils prove this to be false. It was believed that increased cranial capacity had to have evolved before bipedalism, but Australopithecine fossils prove this to be false.

Australopithecines & Homo

The emergence of Homo Some Homo fossils are older than some Australopithecine fossils. What does this tell you about the evolution of Homo? Some Homo fossils are older than some Australopithecine fossils. What does this tell you about the evolution of Homo? Complete your task sheets on: Complete your task sheets on: Homo habilis Homo habilis Homo erectus Homo erectus Homo sapiens (Neanderthal) Homo sapiens (Neanderthal) Homo sapiens (modern) Homo sapiens (modern)

‘Lucy’ Homework: Homework: Produce a short ‘news statement’ on the discovery of ‘Lucy’. Produce a short ‘news statement’ on the discovery of ‘Lucy’. Think about: Think about: What, where & when? What, where & when? Why it was considered so important? Why it was considered so important? Do scientists agree or disagree about her classification? Do scientists agree or disagree about her classification?