Human Evolution Essay

Submitted By katrynna3
Words: 823
Pages: 4
Open Document
HUMAN EVOLUTION

INTRODUCTION: It's incredible how evolution has been into this world for thousands and thousands of years. When a person thing about this unbelievable event, it's good to know that nowadays there is the technology and implements to research and know more about our ancestors. In class we did a very fascinating experiment, we had some pictures and skulls from different primates and we analyzed them. Sometimes, a person cannot imagine the huge difference that those could have. We studied primates from the female chimpanzee until the modern human, also called Homo Sapiens. Following, you will see all the analysis done in class and I hope you get as excited as I was when I was working on it.

OBJECTIVES: * Be able to use measuring elements. * Read appropriately the skeletal features. * Recognize the different skull parts so the measurement can be done. * Be competent at the moment of the analysis.

MATERIALS: * Small and big ruler * Pictures of skulls * Worksheet for recording descriptions and measurements * Real skulls to have a better idea of the procedure

PROCEDURE: 1. Work in groups of 2. 2. Have ready your copy with the different pictures of skulls of primates. 3. Take a moment to identify which skull belongs to a modern human and which one belongs to a chimpanzee. 4. Take the worksheet and read what you have to do so you are prepared. 5. Take the ruler and start doing the measurements. 6. Record all the measurements in the worksheet. 7. Then, take a bigger ruler and take the index of the measurement of your partner. 8. Record the measurement and write it on the board. 9. Take the range and the average of the 20 measurements on the board. 10. Answer the questions based on what you have done in the lab.

OBSERVATION:
1. Comparison of Chimpanzee and Human Skulls

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED 1. Why do you think the canine tooth reduced in size so much from earlier to later hominids?
ANSWER: Evolution has changed everything since early chimpanzees to nowadays modern humans. In my opinion, tooth size reduced so much because of the diet of each species. For instance, early hominids used to eat raw meat and for this, they needed big size tooth to chew all this. Those hominids did not cook anything, everything they put on their mouth was fresh meat from animals. Tooth adapted to the way of eating.

2. Why do you think the face flattens over time in hominid?
ANSWER: Seeing a hominid is like seeing an ape, their definitions and features aren't clear. For instance, smaller chain or smaller forehead. They as hominids did not need much of anything. They did not have a big brain and that is why their forehead was smaller.

3. What areas or portions of the braincase enlarged first and which ones enlarged later in the hominids?
ANSWER: Cranial length and breath, skull length and facial projection were some of the parts that enlarged first and they started being notice from the Cro-Magnon man. On the other hand, the canine-incisor index got smaller.

4. What behavioral and cognitive functions are
Show More

Related Documents: Human Evolution Essay

Evolution: Human Evolution and Humans Essays

Becoming Human Our journey to become modern humans is a story of adaptation. Humans’ uniqueness from other species is a result of their complex thinking, body structure, migration patterns, sense of community and fighting for survival. All of these traits have evolved over millions of years and led humans to be special and unique. This uniqueness would not be there if one of the traits was to be removed, and there is a strong bond between them. Humans’ complex thinking, including…

Words 503 - Pages 3

Human Evolution Research Paper

an understanding of human evolution and the history of psychology for the current psychologist. The essay aims to critically consider the study of human evolution, which includes some of the species that evolved over the years before we now carry on our species, and the different outstanding figures that are responsible for psychology being the field it is today. Finally, how an understanding of this can assistant a modern psychologist. Human evolution is the theory the human evolved from primates…

Words 945 - Pages 4

Australopithecus Sediba Human Evolution

fortunate to have known our great grandparents and their parents. Learning about our family tree and all our descendants is an essential part of our family tree, and we as humans seem to be wired to be curious and learn more about where we come from. In this essay we will discuss whether the Australopithecus sediba the most important human ancestor ever discovered. In 2013 Kate Wong wrote an editorial that asked this very question, and we will discuss a variety of discoveries that have been made about our…

Words 922 - Pages 4

Essay on Human Evolution and Homo Sapiens

Human Evolution Outline I. Evolution is directional change and is the primary way that we understand the biological history of humankind. 1. The processes of evolution shaped humans’ brains and bodies. 2. It has also shaped our capacity for culture. II. Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection proved the most convincing scientific explanation of the variety and history of life on earth. 1. Natural selection—the mechanism of evolutionary change; changes in traits of living organisms that…

Words 3863 - Pages 16

Evolution: Psychology and Human Nature Essay

Does evolution explains the human nature? Obviously, say the monkey Summary Human nature must be understood as a direct consequence of evolution. Not only our physical traits but also our behavior, our thinking and our mind are a direct result of it. Although humans are always looking for evidence to prove that intelligence is a characteristic unique to their species, scientific studies have increasingly show that this is not the case. Skills once believed unique to humans such as…

Words 344 - Pages 2

Essay on Evolution: Natural Selection and Human Behavior

Evolutionary psychology’s (EP) concepts focus on how phenomena occur and what they are for, as opposed to the Standard Social Science Model (SSSM), which proposes that the human mind resembles a ‘blank slate’ at birth, virtually free of content until influenced by the environment. EP, however, posits that a full explanation of a human behaviour requires both evolutionary and environmental explanations together. The SSSM is restrictive in its focus on the environmental influence on learning and behaviour…

Words 670 - Pages 3

Evolution: Human and African Homo Erectus Essay

EVOLUTION THE HUMAN EVOLUTIONARY TREE: Homo Sapiens: • Where Lived: Evolved in Africa, now worldwide • When Lived: About 200,000 years ago to present • About: during a time of dramatic climate change 200,000 years ago, homo sapiens evolved in Africa. It is known that homo sapiens gathered together to hunt for food and survive. Scientists use the term “anatomically modern homo sapiens” to refer to people of our own species who lived during the prehistoric times. Homo Habilis: • Nickname:…

Words 1037 - Pages 5

Evolution: Human and Skull Shape Bipedalism Essay

Some Ideas to Consider Why is there a difference between the maxillary (jaw) angle, teeth, and palate of chimps and humans? Sexual selection. Teeth are more important for intimidation purposes in chimps. We smile, but it's not intimidating. Talking. Our mouth is a compromise between what can bite/chew and what can talk. The relationship between the evolution of bipedalism and skull shape Bipedalism allowed the easy carrying of tools, including the carrying of crude spears while hunting…

Words 430 - Pages 2

Human Evolution and Homo Sapiens Homo Essay

in Homo erectus post-cranial structure? 6. Describe the physical characteristics of Archaic Homo sapiens in general and Neandertals in particular. Were they cognitively less advanced than later Homo sapiens? Use material from “Refuting a Myth about Human Origins” to answer this question. 7. What is the general consensus regarding Neandertal lifeways? Include…

Words 368 - Pages 2

What Role Does Pelvis Play In Human Evolution

Human pelvis plays a greater role when it comes to survival and existence of people. It allows locomotion and enables generation continuation by allowing babies to be born more comfortably. It has evolved over time, and its analysis is of great value to understand modern human beings. People fall in the same class of apes such as the chimpanzees, and it is believed that they evolved from one ancestor. Evolution however, took place when human beings started walking upright with two legs most likely…

Words 943 - Pages 4