1. Theory of Evolution:
Hominid Evolution

2. Do Now: Write down all the similarities between these animals

3. What is a Primate? A primate is a mammal that has:
Nails instead of claws
Binocular vision
Arms that rotate around shoulder joint
Strong clavicle bone
Relatively long fingers & toes
Well developed cerebrum

4. Evolution of Primates
Humans and other primates evolved from a common ancestor
Primates split into 2 groups from this ancestor
Lemurs and Lorises
Tasiers and
Anthropoids

5. Hominids
Anthropoids
Anthropoids= human-like primates

6. Hominoids
Anthropoids began descending into a group known as hominoids that includes:
Gibbons
Orangutans
Gorillas
Chimpanzees
Humans
Hominoids in the lineage that lead to humans are called hominines
Includes modern humans and other species more closely related to us than chimpanzees
GREAT APES

7. Evolution of Hominines
Hominines evolved these abilities:
Walk upright
Opposable/grasping thumbs
Large brains
How could these adaptations led to the progress of human evolution? (think- tools and language)
Bi-pedal: walking on TWO feet
Opposable thumbs: Touching tips of fingers with thumbs

8. The Oldest Hominines 7 million year-old fossil of Sahelanthropus
Rise of the Genus Australopithecus
4 MYA to 1.5 MYA
Bi-pedal, tree climbers
Teeth fossils suggest they ate lots of fruit
Australopithecus afarensis
Discovering Lucy

9. The Rise of the Genus Homo
2 MYA- new hominine group appeared
Fossils resembled modern humans
Homo habilis (first to use tools)
Homo erectus (First to walk to upright)
Homo neanderthalis
 Homo sapiens

10. Why are structures changing?
Why are the teeth changing?
Why is the skull size changing?
Why would the position of the spinal connection to the skull change as species began to walk upright?

11. A. Aferensis Homo Erectus Homo Neanderthalus Homo Sapien

12. Evolution of walking upright; What do you notice changing?

13. Parts of the brain Cerebrum: Includes brain lobes Temporal Occipital
Parietal
Frontal
Spinal Cord:
Pons
Medulla Oblongata
Cerebellum:
Below cerebrum
Next to spinal cord

14. Evolutionary Stations
Visit stations 1-3 and complete the student activity sheet
5-10 minutes at each station

15. Exit Ticket
Summarize the evolution of hominids from A. afarensis (Lucy’s species) to modern Homo sapiens (us)
Make sure to include descriptions of major evolutionary changes in structure and adaptations
Such as language, use of tools, etc