UCSP EXAM

Biological Evolution

Refers to the changes, modifications, and variations in the genetics and inherited traits of biological populations from one generation to another

Cultural Evolution

Also called sociocultural evolution refers to the changes or development in cultures from a simple form to a more complex form of human culture

Charles Darwin

1. He introduced evolution to explain the origins of life.

He published the book On the Origins of Species by Means of Natural Selection (1859)

Natural Selection

is the outcome of processes that affect the frequencies of traits in a particular environment. Traits that enhance survival and reproductive success increase in frequency over time.

Three Important Principles of Natural Selection

Every specie is made up of a variety of individuals wherein some are better adapted to their environments compared to others.

Three Important Principles of Natural Selection

Organisms produce progeny/ offspring with different sets of traits that can be inherited.

Three Important Principles of Natural Selection

Organisms that have traits most suitable to their environment will survive and transfer these variations to their offspring in subsequent generations.

Charles Darwin

According to him, The environment favors certain organisms and those organisms that survive can pass on their traits

Charles Darwin

Published on the origins of species by means of natural selection

Charles Darwin

Natural Selection Has 3 principles:

Variation

• Heritability

• Differential reproductive success

From Hominids to Homo Sapiens Sapiens

The transformation from ape-like ancestors to modern humans (homo sapiens sapiens) occurred after million years of biological and cultural evolution.

Natural Selection Has 3 principles:

• Variation

• Heritability

• Differential reproductive success

Hominids

it is the general term used by scientists to categorize the group of early humans and other humanlike creatures that can walk erect during pre-historic times

Four categories of Hominids

1. Sahelanthropus

2. Ardipithecus

3. Australopithecus

4. Homo

Three Categories of Homo

1. Homo habilis (Handy Man)

2. Homo erectus (Upright Man)

3. Homo sapiens (Wise Man)

Sahelanthropus

1. It had both apelike and humanlike characteristics

2. A skull similar to Australopithecus and modern human

3. Had the ability to walk upright

4. Height almost similar to the chimpanzee

5. Smaller teeth similar to other hominids

6. Brain size of about 320-380 cubic centimeters

7. oldest known species in the human family tree

8. Sahel, Africa

Ardipithecus

1. 2 species

- Ardipithecus kadabba

- Ardipithecus ramidus

2. Height of about 4 feet

3. Biped and lived in jungles like the chimpanzees

4. Weight of about 120 pounds

5. Skull size similar to an ape

6. Small brain

7. Ape on the Ground

8. Kenya

Australopithecus

1. Brain size of 500 cubic centimeters

2. Upright and biped

3. "Southern Ape"

4. Categories:

(1) Gracile

(2) Robust

5. Food scavengers: plants, fruits, eggs, and meat

6. Tool users but not tool makers

7. Distance of movement was estimated to be 15 km 8. Lived in small social groups

Australopithecus: Gracile

1. Australopithecus anamensis

2. Australopithecus afarensis

3. Australopithecus africanus

Australopithecus: Robust

1. Australopithecus aethropicus

2. Australopithecus robustus

3. Australopithecus boisei

Homo

Are classified as humans and not humanlike creatures because they had bigger brains and were bipedal according to fossil evidence, the homo first lived in Africa about 2.4 million years ago.

Homo habilis

1. Brain size of 500 cubic centimeters

2. Direct ancestor of the modern Human

3. Used tools for hunting and gathering food

4. Made tools called Oldowan "Handyman"

5. Brain size half the size of the modern human

6. Height of about 3-4 feet

Homo erectus

1. The first ones who use fire, live in caves, spoken language, and recognize different objects

2. Manifested Cultural Evolution

3. Walks Upright

4. Height of five feet

5. Develop 2/3 of modern human brain size

6. Lived from 1.8 million 300,00 years

7. Skillful Hunters

Homo sapiens

1. Crafted metals as tools

2. Used fire

3. Ate plants, fruits, and animals and earned to cook

4. Food gatherers

5. Lived in shelters

6. Large brain size

7. Thinking/Wise Man

Fossils

refer to the human, plant, and animal remains that have been preserved though time

Artifacts

refer to objects that were made and used b humans

Culture

is defined as "that complex whole which encompasses beliefs, practices, values, attitudes, laws, norms, artifacts, symbols, knowledge, and everything that a person learns and shares as a member of a society" (Tylor, 2010).

Our thinking capacity

The primary biological component of humans that allowed for culture is the developed brain. Due to the size of their brain and the complexity of their parts, humans were able to create survival skills that helped them adapt to their environment and outlive their less adaptive biological relatives.

Our speaking capacity

The vocal tract acts as the mechanism by which sounds are produced and reproduced to transmit ideas and values. Traditional scientific belief pegs the development of language at 100 000 years ago, making it an exclusive trait of the modern human.

Our gripping capacity

The capacity to directly oppose your thumb with your other fingers is an exclusive trait of humans. It allowed us to have a finer grip. Thus, we have the capability to craft materials with precision.

Power grip

enables humans to wrap the thumb and fingers around an object; Purpose: to hold tools firmly for hunting and other activities

Precision grip

enables humans to hold and pick objects steadily using their fingers; Purpose: for tool-making activities

Our walking/standing capacity

Primates have two forms of locomotion: bipedalism and quadrupedalism. Humans are the only fully bipedal primates. This is an important trait, as it gave humans more productivity with their hands.

The human lineage

Our evolution toward humanity as we know it has been a long journey of survival against the elements of the environment and against competing species.

Stone tool Industries

As our ancestors evolved biologically in response to their environment, they have also developed cultural technologies that aided them to efficiently obtain food and deter predators.

Oldowan Industry

is characterized by the use of "hard water-worn creek cobbles made out of volcanic rock" (O'Neil, 2012).

Percussion Flaking

These raw materials were then made into tools through percussion flaking, which is a process involving the systematic collision of a hammer stone with a core stone.

Core tool & Flake tool

The impact of the collision produces a core tool (used for general purposes) and a flake tool (used as a knife).

Acheulian Industry

Using the same process of percussion flaking, Homo erectus created hand axes that were bifacial, shaped on both sides and with straighter and sharper edges.

Acheulian Industry-Used for Multiple Activities

these stone implements were used in multiple activities such as light chopping of wood, digging up roots and bulbs, butchering animals, and cracking nuts and small bones.

Acheulian Industry-Named after Saint Acheul

This industry was named after Saint Acheul, a patron saint in southwest France, as these artifacts were discovered in the area.

Mousterian Industry

The tools from this industry combined Acheulian industry techniques with the Levalloisian technique

Mousterian Industry-Known for their Efficiency

This type of tool is very efficient as all the sides of the flake tool are sharpened and, due to the size reduction, handier.

Mousterian Industry-Named after a site in France

This industry was named after a site in France called Le Moustier, where evidence was uncovered in 1860.