Hominid Evolution

Human Evolution

Human Evolution

Objectives• Identify the

characteristics that all primates share.

• Describe the major evolutionary groups of primates.

Benchmarks• SC.912.L15.1*• SC.912.L.14.26*

Essential Question

• Of all the adaptations we learned in class, evaluate which one provides the greatest fitness to primates.

Mind Streaming: How would we distinguish these organisms? (10 min)

How is this organism related to the others?

WHAT IS A PRIMATE? A primate is a mammal

that has:1. Flexible fingers and

toes to grip2. Large thumbs and toes3. Ability to circulate

arms4. Binocular Vision5. Well developed

cerebellum and cerebrum

WHY IS BINOCULAR VISION IMPORTANT?

Binocular Vision: The ability to combine visual images from both eyes, providing depth and a 3-dimensional view of the world.

WHAT IS POSSIBLE WITH A MORE COMPLEX BRAIN?

Cerebellum: The “thinking part” of the brain is large and complex.

CHECK POINT:What can you do with a more complex brain?

WHEN DID PRIMATES EVOLVE?• Humans and primates evolved from a

common ancestor that lived 65 million years ago.

Primate Evolution

WHAT ARE ANTHROPOIDS AND HOMINIDS?• The anthropoids, or human like primates, include

monkeys, great apes, and humans. • Great apes are also called hominoids, and include

gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans. • Recent DNA analyses confirm that chimpanzees are the

most closely related to humans.

CHECK POINT

1. Circle the Anthropoid Group2. Circle the Hominoid Group

How did Hominines Evolve?

• The skull, neck, spinal column, hip bones, and leg bones of early hominine species changed shape in ways that enabled later species to walk upright.

• The evolution of bipedal, or two-footed, locomotion freed both hands to use tools.

• Hominines also evolved much larger brains.

ANSWER: Essential Question

• Of all the adaptations we learned in class, evaluate which one provides the greatest fitness to primates.