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Fun Trivia: A : Anthropology

Special Sub-Topic: More Anthro!

A homology is:

    A similarity between organisms based on descent from a common ancestor. The best example of a HOMOLOGY would be arm bones--amphibians, reptiles, birds and humans all have a humerus, ulna, radius and metacarpals--proof that we all evolved from a common ancestor. Separate evolutionary development of similar traits is called {'homoplasy';} similarities based on function alone are called 'analogies' (like wings on bats and wings on {birds);} modified traits are 'derived.'

Primates comprise:
    An order. Linnaeus came up with the system of biological classification in the 1700s. It goes from top to bottom in general like this: Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species. Primates are an order that includes all prosimians, monkeys, apes and humans. A family is smaller, hominidae (all upright walking primates) is an example. A genus is like HOMO {sapiens;} a sub-order would be Anthropoidea. A hint--the Latin ending gives it away. For example, all families end in IDAE.

The earliest humans first appear in what epoch?
    Pliocene. The Pliocene spanned 5-1.8 million years ago. The first hominids (upright primates, like us) appear in the record at about 4.5 million years ago. Oligocene: 34-22.5 {mya;} Miocene: 22.5-5 {mya;} Paleocene: 65-55 mya. The Paleocene is where we find the first primates, the Prosimians--the Miocene is where we get the Anthropoids, advanced monkeys and apes.

Which of the following is NOT a feature of bipedality (walking upright)?
    Opposable big toe. In order to walk upright, we needed a stable platform. Thus, the big toe became less movable--think about your thumb. Your foramen magnum (Latin literally 'big hole') is where your spinal cord goes into your skull--it needs to be directly underneath to walk upright. Iliac blades are part of your pelvic bones--if they are broader it changes the attachment of your butt muscles so you can stand on one leg at a time (chimps can't do this). Your thigh bone (femur) angles in to put your balance directly under you--and why humans are so prone to knee injuries!

Which species of Homo came first?
    Homo habilis. habilis at 2.4 {mya;} erectus and ergaster close at about 1.8 {mya;} neandertalensis at about 500 kya.

What is the name of the oldest tool technology associated with humans?
    Oldowan. Oldowan tools were simple cobble stones modified at one end for extracting marrow from bones. Aschulean tools were the hallmark of Homo erectus--'hand axes' which you probably associate with 'cave men.' Aurignacian is the first modern tool kit, which included not only stone tools but also bone fish hooks and needles. Middle Paleolithic is what the Neandertals used, and had lots of different stone tools (scrapers, axes, awls) but no evidence of other materials.

A polytypic species is comprised of:
    Populations that differ in the expression of one or more traits. All modern humans are members of the same POLYTYPIC species. All races belong to Homo sapiens. Differences in color, height, shape--are the result of environmental pressures and do not reflect traits that should be deemed 'better' or 'worse.' If you live in a cold climate, you will be light-skinned and more compact to retain body heat. The closer to the equator, the darker and leaner you will be. That's all I will say--we can ALL interbreed--so we are ALL the same species. Biology and scientific facts are the best defense against racism!

Alloparenting is:
    Caring for other's infants. This is widely practiced by 'lower' primates. High mortality among monkeys means there has to be a backup to take care of babies. Alloparenting not only teaches young females how to care for infants, but provides foster parents in the event of the mother's death.

Mosaic evolution is when:
    Rates of evolution vary in different functional systems. I made up the other answers, so there really is no explanation for them. In humans, mosaic evolution means we didn't get big brains, walk upright and acquire culture at the same time--all systems evolved at separate rates depending on selection pressures. Bipedality first, then bigger brains, then culture.

What cranial feature, a holdover from apes, did early male humans possess that females did not?
    Sagittal crest. Primates exhibit a very noticable sexual dimorphism--that is, they are larger than females in most respects. This extended to the skull, where massive chewing and biting muscles meant more bone for muscle attachments. The sagittal crest stuck around in early humans, and was much more pronounced in males. Zygomatic arches are just your cheekbones...and modern humans of both sexes can have extra sutures, causing Wormian or Incan bones.


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