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Human Evolution - Coggle Diagram
Human Evolution
Skull Features
Brow ridges
Bony ridge located above the eye sockets, purpose is to reinforce weaker bones in the face. Humans have evolved to have none or very small brow ridges as less strain is put on the cranium by our jaws, hence smaller brow ridges.
Shape of forehead
Our ancestors had receding foreheads, this was due to their large brow ridges that helped them with consumption of food. In modern humans, the shape of our forehead is high, there is very minimal to no visible brow ridgel.
Cranial Size
It is very clear that humans have a much larger cranial size, this is due to the fact that we began eating meats which allowed for our brains to develop at a very fast rate. Our ancestors had an average cranial capacity of 400cm3 compared to modern day humans with an average cranial capacity of 1400cm3, this shows the vast difference between brain sizes.
Tooth shape
Our ancestors tend to have a thinner enamel, an adaption to eating fruit. They had have much larger canines and incisors which most likely helped in defence. They also had much larger grinding surface on their molars, this allowed for easy processing of leafy and fibrous plant material. However us humans, have a thick enamel, an adaption for chewing tougher food.
Foramen Magnum
A hole located at the base of the skull where the spinal cord is connected to the brain. The foramen magnum has its location through evolution, as humans started learning how to walk upright, the foramen magnum has shifted closer to the centre of our skull, which provides us with an upright poster and better balance.
Nuchal area
The Nuchal Area is located where the neck muscles attach onto the back of the skull. Humans have evolved to have smaller nuchal areas as we do not requires as much strength to keep looking forward, unlike our ancestors, hence their large nuchal areas.
Zygomatic arch
Located behind the cheeks, they are a bony arch. In our ancestors, it provided a gap for the temporal muscles to pass through ( to the jaw ), which allowed for chewing of food. As humans evolved, the zygomatic arch has decreased in size tremendously, this is because humans do not need very strong temporal muscles.
Bipedal
An organism that uses two legs for walking
Cladogram
A diagram that shows relationships among an organism or organisms. (Evolution tree)
Divergence
Process in which species separate from the original species into another species, differentiation in their speciation.
Evolution
The gradual physical/ social developments of a specific organism that has aided in its ability to survive, behavioural, physiological or a structural adaptation.
Fossil
They are preserved remains, something we can use to figure out what life was like millions of years ago. Examples of fossils include bones, shells, microbes, objects preserved in amber, hair, oil, coal, and DNA remnants.
Geneticist
A biologist that studies genes, science of genes, its hereditary and variation of organisms.
Hominids/ Hominins
Closest species relatives to homosapiens, a family group of homosapiens
Species
A group of living organisms that display similar characteristics, they are a kind or sort of an organism, they breed with each other to produce offspring which have characteristics from both the species.
Trait
A distinguishing/ unique attribute/ feature/ characteristic of an organism.