Class Slides Set 16B

Brains

The brains . . .

apes and humans have large heads and brains

(relative to body size)

Humankind Emerging, 7th ed., p. 389

Human and Ape Brains

The brains . . .

the large brains of apes and humans are also more developed than

those of other animals. . .

• size . . .

• complexity . . .

• the ratio of brain weight to overall body weight . . .

The brains develop in . . .

• size . . .

• complexity . . .

• the ratio of brain weight to overall body weight . . .

The brains develop in . . .

Cranial Capacity…Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th ed., p. 207

Cranial Capacity…Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th ed., p. 207

Cranial Capacity…Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th ed., p. 207

• size . . .

• complexity . . .

• the ratio of brain weight to overall body weight . . .

The brains develop in . . .

Lateral view of the brain. The illustration shows the increase in the cerebral cortex of the brain. The cerebral cortex integrates sensory

information and selects responses.Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th ed., p. 107

The brains . . .

humans have highly developed frontal and occipital regions of the

brain . . .

The brains . . .

occipital region =

curved back and base of the skull

Humankind Emerging, 7th ed., p. 390

Gracile Australopithecus / Homo Lineage Brain

The brains . . .

cerebrum =

• large rounded structure of the brain

• largest part of the brain• comprises ca. 85% of the

brain’s total weight

Lateral view of the brain. The illustration shows the increase in the cerebral cortex of the brain. The cerebral cortex integrates sensory

information and selects responses.Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th ed., p. 107

The brains . . .

The cerebral cortex (neocortex)

increases in area

The brains . . .

cerebral cortex = neocortex =

thin layer of grey matter covering the cerebrum

The brains . . .

in humans the cerebral cortex lies in folds or

“convolutions” over the entire surface of the cerebral hemisphere

The brains . . .

prehistorically the convoluted cerebral

cortex can often be seen in “endocasts”

The brains . . .

endocasts =

fossilized casts of the interior of a skull

The brains . . .

humans also have

well-developed “association” areas . . .

The brains . . .

association areas are thought to be involved in

learning, memory, thinking, and bringing

together information form the various senses

The brains . . .

association areas =

regions of the cerebral hemispheres thought to serve some integrative

function . . .

Humankind Emerging, 7th ed., p. 389

Human Brain

• size . . .

• complexity . . .

• the ratio of brain weight to overall body weight . . .

(“brain weight / body weight ratio”)

The brains develop in . . .

Humankind Emerging, 7th ed., p. 386

Brain Weight – Body Weight Ratios

http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/troufs/anth1602/pcbrain.html

Next: Teeth / JawDiet

Continue on to Set # 16C