Study Questions - Human Evolution
Readings - chapter 20
1) What traits distinguish the apes?
2) How are we different from chimps and gorillas morphologically, and how can this be explained developmentally?
3) What genetic evidence exists that regulatory genes may be involved, and under selective pressure in the human lineage?
4) How old is Sahelanthropus, and why is its placement "on a branch" - chimp, gorilla, or human- understandably difficult?
5) How old are Ardipithecus fossils, and what odd mix of traits suggest both an arboreal and bipedal lifestyle?
6) What do the Laetoli footprints suggest about A. afarensis behavior?
7) What distinguishes the genus Paranthropus?
8) What was the first hominid species to leave Africa?
10) What was the pattern of Homo sapiens radiation across the globe?
11) How might have climate change selected for bipedality 6-7 mya?
12) What are the genetic and geographical relationships between H. sapiens, H. neanderthalensis, and the Denisovans?
13) Draw the hominid family tree, including these species: Ardepithecus ramidus, Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus sediba, Homo erectus, Homo floresiensis, Homo habilis, Homo heidelbergensis, Homos neanderthalensis,Ororrin tugenensis, and the genus Paranthropus. Place a reasonably correct time scale next to the tree.
14) Which population of humans is the most genetically diverse?
15) Provide a couple examples of genetic adaptations of human populations to their local environments.