human derived traits locomotion differences dental differences brain differences life history...
TRANSCRIPT
Human Derived Traits
• Locomotion differences
• Dental differences
• Brain differences
• Life history differences
• Cultural adaptations
Hominoidea Characteristics
• No tail• Larger body size• Rely more on vision• Suspensory hanging adaptation• Y-5 pattern of molars• Arms longer than legs (except
humans)• Increased brain size and
intelligence• Prolonged growth and
development
Differences in the Jaws and Teeth
Apes have large anterior teeth which results in a larger face than humans
Apes:Large canines
Canine diastema (space for opposing canine)
Sectorial premolar (sharpens upper canine)
Thin molar enamel
Dental arcade shape differences
Apes: U-shaped Humans: Parabolic, indicates – •Reduction in size of canine•Loss of diastema & sectorial premolar
Structural similarities exist between human and ape brains
Same landmarks are found on both
What’s different?
Brain Differences
Human Brain – Enlargements and Elaboration of the Cerebral Cortex
Frontal lobes – association areas that create more complex models of reality•Areas associated with language on dominant hemisphere•Broca’s area: motor speech•Wernicke’s area: language comprehension
Locomotion Differences: Humans are obligate, habitual bipeds
•Requires erect posture
•Slow, but energy efficient
•Birth and lower back problems
•Precarious
“…the body, step by step, teeters on the edge of catastrophe” (Napier 1967:56)
Quadruped – only has a primary curve
•Vertebral column is not weight-bearing, vertebrae of equal size
•Secondary vertebral curves in humans – neck and lumbar
•Vertebrae increase in size from top to bottom
Vertebral Column