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3 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Human Evolution |
Life began 3000 million years agoCharles Darwin: Theory of Evolution- New species develop from existing ones through a long and gradual process of transformation. - NATURAL Selection Only the organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and pass on their genetics to the next generation. The less well-adapted are out competed and die out. (Example of the less well-adapted green beetles) - SEXUAL Selection Finding a mate to reproduce with (not survival). Male animals have developed secondary characteristics as females prefer to mate with these males. (E.g. peacocks) Sexual selection in humans: Miller argues that aspects of human nature (e.g. music, dance, humour) play a key role in sexual selection. Human culture developed from sexual selection for creative traits. |
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Early Humans (Hominins) |
First appeared in Africa 6-7 million years ago. There were 20 different types of hominin, including: Australopithecus Afarensis - Lived 3.2 million years ago. In 1974 remains of a member of this species were found in N.Ethiopia (named Lucy). The structure of the knee/pelvis showed that she usually walked upright on two legs. Small brain, long arms, short legs. Homo Neanderthalenis - Lived 200,000 years ago in parts of Europe. Had a developed culture (self-conscious, social, lived in communities, buried their dead+evidence of ceremony near graves) Homo Sapiens = the modern human - the only surviving hominin. Evolved 200,000 years ago in Africa. Our ancestors migrated to Europe 60,000 years ago, Australia 50,000 years ago and Australia 16,000 years ago. The only primate in the world that has travelled and live on every continent. Phenotype = the result of interactions between our genes and the environment (genotype+the environment). For example, height is 75% genetic however if your environment does not provide sufficient nutrition for growth your phenotypic height will be shorter. |
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Climate Change + The Savannah Hypothesis |
We are able to adapt to changes in ourenvironment as we are 'generalists' - wehave not adapted to one specificenvironment. Ability to exploit a range ofresources, capable of changing/shaping ourenvironment to suit our own needs. The Savannah Hypothesis - In Africa, 6 million years ago, global temperatures droppedresulting in the fragmentation of the previously large forests,leading to the development of the Savannah. The hominins whichventured out into the Savannah adapted to their newenvironment, developing bipedalism (walking upright on two legs). |
