Summary of human evolution notes including table of comparison between ardipithecus, australopithecus and homo sapiens characteristics. Summary of genetic, fossil and archaeological evidence of relation between living hominids. Summary of rapid evolution in bacteria and viruses. Four pages long, wr...
How do we know if certain primates (living hominids) are closely related and therefore
diverged recently in evolutionary history OR are our ancestors?
• Genetic evidence: the larger the portion of DNA two primates share, the closer their
relation. We share between 96-99% of our DAN with chimps – we diverged recently
from them!
This includes mitochondrial DNA (can trace lineages back
through their mothers!)
• Fossil evidence: often find intermediate fossils which show an
intermediary species between two primates and can date them
to see when they Started to diverge. Fossils also show key
anatomical differences between organisms. Rich fossil sites include the Great rift
valley (large lake) and the cradle of humankind (Sterkfontein caves).
• Archaeological evidence: show tool usage in our ancestors and we can date different
cognitive advances as cognition is associated with tool use.
Genetic differences between living hominids
• The more differences in chromosomal or mitochondrial DNA between two species,
the more time there was for mutations to develop – creating more variation.
Divergence must have occurred early for the large amount of mutations to develop.
• Genetic links support the out of Africa hypothesis on how humans migrated around
the world – so too does mtDNA links
• Y chromosome DNA also used to track male ancestors – y chromie is largely
unchanged over generations.
Comparative anatomy
These are anatomical similarities between organisms – these are often used to compare
humans with other living hominids such as chimpanzees or gorillas.
These include:
• opposable thumb
• Sexual dimorphism (when males are much
larger than the females)
• Swinging arms
• Brain size
• Nail shape – flat or claws?
Bipedalism
This is the phenomenon whereby animals can walk on two limbs instead of four – this is
found primarily in humans, and was a large mark in our evolutionary history, bringing
advantages and disadvantages.
• Short narrow pelvis
• Femur at an angle (for better
Weight distribution)
• Feet have an arch
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