homanids

Question 1

hominin vs. hominid

Answer 1

• modern and extinct humans and ancestors

- modern and extinct great apes

Question 2

Homo vs. Australopithecus

Answer 2

• flat face vs. long snout (prognathous)
• less prominent brow ridge vs prominent brow ridge
• dental arc curved vs dental arc slightly curved
• canines don’t protrude past other teeth vs. canines are less prominent
• no diastema vs no diastema
• large cranium vs moderately sized cranium
• foramen magnum more to the front / middle of the skull vs slightly less to the front / middle

Question 3

advantages of bipedalism

Answer 3

• overlook the grass for predators and food
• able to carry weapons because of spare arms
• carry food and many other things
• carry and protect young children

Question 4

why did bipedalism occur

Answer 4

• the burning down of the savannah (less trees and longer distances to get food)

Question 5

brain capacity vs. formation of culture, tribalism and language

Answer 5

• better brain capacity meaning more retained information
• the greater the intelligence the more tribalism is formed because of the realisation that working together is easier
• communication develops because of a greater need to communicate and the greater intelligence helps
• culture develops from the combination tribalism and language because there will be difference because of the interaction with the climates and environment