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Evolution a complicated process
Factors in the Evolution to Bipedalism Essay
The evolution into bipedalism
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The evolution of the human species has significantly changed during the course of evolution to what is now the modern day Homo sapiens. Some of the changes that have occurred through the evolution are bipedalism, changes in body features such as brow ridges, and an increase in brain capacity. Bipedalism is a form of locomotion that is on two feet and is the one factor that separates humans from other forms of hominoids. The first bipeds are believed to have lived in Africa between 5 and 8 million years ago. (Haviland et al. 2011, pg. 78). The evolution to bipedalism resulted in various anatomical changes. To be able to balance on two legs, the skull must be centered over the spinal column. As bipeds evolved, the foramen magnum, the opening at the base of skull for the spinal column, moved from the back of the skull to the center. The spinal column also evolved from a continuous curve to a spine with four concave and convex curves. (Haviland et al. 2011, pgs. 79, 80). Another change was the widening of the pelvis which gives a wider plateau for more balance when walking on two legs. Many factors could have played a part in the evolution to bipedalism. Some of these are adaptation to environment and the need to have free hands to handle tools and weapons. These factors were the basis of Charles Darwin's theory of the evolution of quadrupeds to bipeds. (Hawks). Advantages of bipedalism include the ability to see farther and wider distances because you can see from a higher vantage point; the ability to carry food, tools, and weapons; and more efficient movement. Bipedalism had many advantages, but it also had many disadvantages and provided dangers to early hominids. Some of these disadvantages included i... ... middle of paper ... ...linois at Chicago. Retrieved from the Web 11/16/13. http://www.uic.edu/classes/osci/osci590/index.html McKie, Robin. (2013). "Why Did the Neanderthals Die Out?" The Guardian. Retrieved from the Web 11/17/13. http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/jun/02/why-did-neanderthals-die-out . O'Neil, Dennis. (2012). "Early Hominin Evolution: A Survey of Australopithecines and Related Genera." Palomar College. Retrieved from the Web 11/18/13. http://anthro.palomar.edu/hominid/ "Prognathism." Center for Academic Research & Training in Anthropogeny. Retrieved from the Web 11/18/13. http://carta.anthropogeny.org/moca/topics/prognathism Haviland, William A., Harold E. L. Prins, Dana Walrath, Sunny McBride. (2011). The Essence of Anthropology. Third Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
developed by means of longer legs and arched heels - two traits seen in H. naledi fossils.
After millions of years that humans separated from their relative primate how is that humans became bipedal. So many changes have happened to the human body to decide to stay on the ground and abandoned their lives in the trees. Primates evolved different body structures according to their lifestyle and the ecosystem in which they lived. As Charles Darwin natural selection stays; it could be as a result of new environments, the need for food and shelter, which forced humans to adapt and survive. Although, most of primates’ anatomy reflects habits of movement, it could be easy to see the external differences but there are many differences that have been intensely studied and researched.
Like most species in the Homo genus, the Neanderthals were bipedal. Being bipedal isn’t the main reason as to why Neanderthals are the first humans but it is one of the most important ones. Neanderthals shared many bipedal characteristics that are similar to Homo sapiens but they had modifications that were adjusted to their
This theorizes that humans began walking on two feet instead of four in order to free their hands to do other tasks while moving across the world. There are several models on this origin, suggesting from food foraging and infant carrying, to stone tools and weapons. Owen Lovejoy, points out “…that if males contributed to the survival of their mates and their offspring, then their own genes would survive into the next generation. Bipedalism would have allowed males to provide their mates and offspring with high-quality food as well as to help protect them from any looming dangers. This explanation makes biological and behavioral sense. .”(Lovejoy 1981)
Bipedalism is a form of locomotion that is on two feet and is the one factor that separates humans from other forms of hominoids. The first bipeds are believed to have lived in Africa between 5 and 8 million years ago. (Haviland et al. 2011, pg. 78). The evolution to bipedalism resulted in various anatomical changes. To be able to balance on two legs, the skull must be centered over the spinal column. As bipeds evolved, the foramen magnum, the opening at the base of skull for the spinal column, moved from the back of the skull to the center. The spinal column
Habitual bipedal gait, articulated language, and the ability form complex thoughts are characteristics that have long been thought to separate human beings from animals. When Dr. Tan initially described Uner Tan Syndrome, he claimed that the affected individuals were “genetic throwbacks.” He hypothesized that a single gene mutation would be found in this family could shed some light on human evolution, and the transition into bipedalism. Initially, the physical manifestations of the syndrome seemed to support this claim. The first hint was the fact that the affected individuals walked with what is described as a diagonal-sequence quadrupedal gait. This is an unusual foot...
Bipedalism is one of the most common traits used when identifying what distinguishes what a human is. However, humans are not the only species that exhibit this trait. There are numerous species besides humans that exhibit bipedalism that are currently living or that have become extinct. Bipedalism has been an important trait for humans and their past ancestors since bipedalism is a very primitive trait that has evolved quite some time ago. Currently, there is no specific answer as to why bipedalism emerges but there are numerous hypotheses and these hypotheses will be examined in this paper. This paper will also identify the different signs that indicate whether or not a species is bipedal.
If Shipman is correct and humans evolved from animals that were primarily scavengers, previous explanations for human evolution would have to reviewed and compared to the new evidence. Current understanding of the development of bipedalism as an evolutionary advantage would change. Standing upright would be considered an advantage to finding carcases for scavaging, instead of a predatory reason. This small change in our understanding of human ancestors, would change how human understand themselves. Shipman uses tool and teeth marks on bone and early hominid's physical biology to support her claims.
Bipedalism (our ability to walk on two legs), the uncommon size of our brains, symbolic language, and the ability to farm/hunt is what makes us different from the past era. (Christian 6-7) Pages 1-22 begins the era of foragers, also known as the “Paleolithic era” where they use stick and stone tools to survive across different climates around the globe. The era of foragers is the longest (250,000 years) and the hardest era to integrate evidence because of the time gap. Christian stated, “Historians have had a hard time integrating the era of foragers into their accounts of the past because most historians lack the research skills needed to study an area that generated no written evidence (2).
Bipedalism is anatomically important because it now demonstrates to us modern day humans the cycle of how we came to be. This skill was vital to human evolution because it differentiates early hominins from apes. By being able to walk further distances, they brought them to a diverse new diet that enabled their brains to get bigger. Bipedal animals usually walk greater distances because less energy is needed with their longer strides. The stone stools show evidence of abstract thinking and it shows the early hominins adapting and using their environment to survive, which is a skill that we as modern humans have surpassed.
“The scientific study of how humans developed did not begin until the 1800s in Europe. Until that time, people relied on religious explanations of how humans came into existence. Starting in the 1500s a scientific revolution began to sweep Europe. Thinkers started using scientific methods and experiments to try to better understand the world and the creatures living in it. Eventually these methods were turned to the question of human origins” (The Nature Of Human Origins, 1). Earth made it possible for species to change over time because Ancient Earth provides ability to plenty of time.The Homo Sapien a is very complex creature. The species started off very simple by living in caves and surviving with little food and then later evolved into a species that were able to do many more complex things. The first species was Sahelanthropus tchadensis They were one of the most simple humans in that time period and on. They had very small skulls compared to Homo Sapiens today and their motor skills were just the same. We have evolved and changed for the better both mentally and physically. The Evolution of Homo Sapiens started off simple, such as the Neanderthals, and now we are the most advanced species to ever walk the planet so far.
Are we still evolving? How do humans and apes share a common ancestor? Modern human species or Homo sapiens have shown great similarities in the physical and genetic makeup to another group primates species, the apes. Both organisms share a common ancestor dating back eight to six million years ago. Evolution means change over time. Human evolution is the process by which humans have emerged from apelike ancestors. Through sequences of mutations, genetic drift, migration, and natural selection and technology we are able to observe the amazing amount of similarities and diversity of humans to other living organisms. Humans have roamed the earth for about six million years. At least, that is from when the oldest human ancestor was discovered.
The members of the Homo genus possess a combination of unique features that distinguish them from other related species. At the time that each respective species was alive, they were able to walk upright on two legs, use their large brains for the benefit of their species, and could thrive in many geographically and climatically diverse areas of the world. One of the most mysterious quandaries in science is how the lineage of the Homo genus became so different from their primate relatives. Bipedalism, brain size, and location diversity all have a common link that may explain this difference – dietary evolution allowed humans to adapt to their surroundings, and in turn, become a more advanced species. The Homo diet evolved in relation to food availability and nutritional necessity. With the ability to maintain a proper diet, the species of the Homo genus were able to flourish and advance toward the development of modern Homo sapiens.
Evolution is the complexity of processes by which living organisms established on earth and have been expanded and modified through theorized changes in form and function. Human evolution is the biological and cultural development of the species Homo sapiens sapiens, or human beings. Humans evolved from apes because of their similarities. This can be shown in the evidence that humans had a decrease in the size of the face and teeth that evolved. Early humans are classified in ten different types of families.
1.9 million years ago, Homo Habilis of East Africa had evolved into an entirely new species known as Homo erectus. Homo erectus directly translates to "Upright man" and for good reason. One of largest anatomical advancements of Homo erectus was their arm and leg bones which were very similar in shape and proportions to that of modern day humans. "Their legs would have made Homo erectus efficient long distance runners like modern humans."(Dennis). Along with their longer more developed legs, Homo erectus's leg were also hairless which allowed them to evaporate sweat and thus be more efficient at not overheating. This advantage allowed Homo erectus to chase down four legged mammals to the point of heat exhaustion and thus drastically increase the efficiency their hunting tactics. Another change in the legs of Homo erectus was their slightly more narrow pelvises. This forced the size of a child’s head to be smaller at birth and undergo most of its development during childhood. (Dennis)