biology review 

  1. Charles Darwin: developed a theory of evolution based on natural selection.
  2. the theory of evolution: is supported by natural selection and explains the diversity of life.
  3. artificial selection: the process of directed breeding to produce offspring with desired traits, referred to as selective breeding.
  4. natural selection: theory of evolution developed by Darwin, based on four ideas: excess reproduction, variations, inheritance, and the advantages of specific traits in an environment.
  5. evolutions: cumulative changes in groups of organisms through time.

primate evolution

characteristics of primates:

  1. manual dexterity
  2. five digits on each hand and foot
  3. flat nails and sensitive areas on the ends of their digits
  4. the first digits are opposable

senses

  1. rely more on vision
  2. binocular vision results in greater depth perception
  3. color vision
  4. decrease sense of smell
  5. teeth are reduced in size and usually are unspecialized

locomotion

  1. flexible bodies
  2. limber shoulders and hips
  3. all primate excepts humans walk on all four limbs

complex brain and behaviors

  1. have large brains compare to their body size
  2. good memory and coordination
  3. problem-solving abilities
  4. well-developed social behaviors

reproductive rate:

  1. have fewer offspring
  2. newborns are dependent on their mothers for an extended period of time
  3. many are endangered

primate groups:

  1. arboreal
  2. terrestrial
  3. “wet-nosed”
  4. “dry-nosed”

strepsirrhines:

  1. have large eyes and ears
  2. rely predominantly on smell for hunting and social interaction
  3. examples: lemurs, sifakas, etc.

haplorrhines:

  1. include tarsiers, monkeys, and apes.
  2. the apes include gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans.
  3. the anthropoids: are split into the new world.

characteristics of hominoids:

  1. they have large bodies
  2. they have a larger brain compare to primates
  3. unique molar teeth
  4. they lack tails

characteristics of hominins:

  1. bipedalism- 2 legs
  2. larger brains
  3. the position of foramen magnum.

human ancestry

  1. genus- homo
    • evolved from Australopithecus
  • bigger brain, lighter skeletons, flatter faces, and smaller teeth.
  1. homo habilis- handy man:
    • used stone
  2. homo ergaster: use tools and migrate
    • scavengers + hunters
  3. homo erectus: use fire
    • include Jave man- Indonesia (1840)
    • pekin man- China (1920)
  4. homo florensiensis:

   -the hobbit

  1. homo Neanderthals:
    • Europe
    • language
  2. homo sapiens:

   -language and culture