LIFE SCIENCES GRADE 12TOPIC: BIODIVERSITY CHANGE AND

CONTINUITYSUBTOPIC: HUMAN EVOLUTION

09 MARCH 2014

KHANYISILE MBATHA

201214202

Human evolution defined

human evolution, the process by

which human beings developed on

Earth from now-extinct primates. Viewed

zoologically, we humans are Homo

sapiens, a culture-bearing, upright-

walking species that lives on the ground

and first evolved in Africa between

100,000 and 200,000 years ago.

We are now the only living members of what many

zoologists refer to as the human tribe, Hominini, but

there is abundant fossil evidence to indicate that we

were preceded for millions of years by other

hominins, such as Australopithecus, and that our

species also lived for a time contemporaneously with

at least one other member of

our genus, Homo neanderthalensis (the Neanderthal

).

In addition, we and our predecessors have always

share

Trends in human biological and

cultural evolution will be selected

from:

-Early changes exhibited from early bipedals

apes also comparison with living apes.

HUMAN EVOLUTION

AUSTRAPITHECINES

These were the first pre-

known humans.

Various species were found

in Africa.

Australopithecus

Australopithecus continued

The term australopithecine refers

generally to any species in the

related genera of Australopithecus

and Paranthropus. It may also include

members of Kenyanthropus Ardipithecus

and Praeanthropus.

The term comes from a former

classification as members of a distinct

subfamily, the Australopithecine. They are

now classified by some within

the Australopithecine sub-tribe of

the Homininitribe.

Members of australopithecus are

sometimes referred to as the ‘gracile

australopithecines’ while paranthropus

are called ‘robust australopithecine’

Many theories exist

regarding the human

evolution.

Bipedalism

was the most important event in human evolution because it freed up the hands.

The large brain was able to take advantage of this opportunity.

All primates have an upright posture.

Advantages of Bipedalism

More energy-efficient at walking

speed than knuckle walking.

Also generates less heat.

Freed up hands for carrying offspring, food and tools.

Advantages of Bipedalism con…

Continued…

Keeps body cool with less direct

surface area exposed to the sun

and greater air flow in drier air to

increase sweat evaporation

Adv…continued

Gave greater height for easier

detection of food and predators.

Upright stance may be more

intimidating

Homohabilis

Rounded skull still with brow ridges.

Some development of Broca’s region

suggesting language.

Small jaw, incisors and canines

suggesting an omnivorous diet.

Homohabilis

1.5 - 2.4mya in eastern Africa

Cranial volume 500 – 650cc

1 – 1.3m tall.

Made stone and bone Oldowan tools.

Some evidence of cooperative hunting

and scavenging for food.

To be continued