Chapter 17 - Primate Evolution Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 17 - Primate Evolution Deck (16)
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1
Q

Who was Carlos Linnaeus?

A
  • Carlos Linnaeus (1707 -78)
  • one of the first scientists to consider that similarities between plants, animals and humans may have evolved from common ancestors.
  • established the basis for the binomial system of naming organisms.
2
Q

What is the binomial system?

A

The binomial system uses the generic (genus) and specific (species) names for the scientific name of a species.
- using this system, humans are referred to as Homo sapiens.

3
Q

What are Primates?

A

Humans, apes, monkeys and other related animals all classified under the order of primates.

4
Q

What are the four main types of sources that provide evidence for evolution?

A
  • Comparative anatomy or primates
  • Comparatuve biochemistry
  • Behaviour of living primates
  • Fossils of primates.
5
Q

What are the first four divisions of the hierarchy?

A
  1. Kingdoms - plants and animals
  2. Phyla (singular phylum)
  3. Classes
  4. Orders.
6
Q

Describe the classification of humans with the primate order.

A
Order : Primates 
Suborder : Haplorrhini
Infraorder : simiiformes 
Paravorder : Catarrhini 
Super family : hominoidea
Family : homindae 
Subfamily : hominnae
Tribe : hominini
Genus : homo 
Species : sapiens
7
Q

What does arboreal mean?

A

Arboreal means living in trees or tree-like environment.

8
Q

Describe the three main trends of human digits

A

Mobility - Increasingmobility and ability to move digits independently of one another.

Petadactyl - with friction ridges

Opposability - First digit opposable and increasing length results in increased effectiveness of opposability.

Claws/nails - Primitive primates retain claws on some digits : higher primates have nails on all digits.

9
Q

Define prehensile

A

Being capable of grasping.

10
Q

Describe three main evolutionary trends of vision in primates.

A

Eyes - gradually became more forward facing to give stereoscopic vision. 120% of vision overlaps
Increased efficiency in vision.
Humans have rods and cones .

Eye sockets - eyes gradually became enclosed in a protective bony socket.

Visual area of brain - increased while the olfactory area of the brain decreased.

11
Q

What are rods and cones?

A

Rods are important for vision in dim light.

Cones are important for fine visual and colour distinction

Found in the retina of human eyes

12
Q

Describe 3 main evolutionary trends of the dentition of primates.

A

Amount of teeth - lemurs, lorises and new world monkeys have 36 teeth, old world monkeys, apes and humans have 32.
Two sets of teeth ; deciduous and permanent

Dental formula - of humans it is 2:1:2:3 (two incisors, one canine, two premolars and three molars on each side of the jaw.)

Monkeys have 4 cusps in their teeth, humans have 5

13
Q

Describe two main evolutionary trends of the olfactory system in primates.

A

Bone protection - nose and snout areas have generally become smaller and flatter.

Increase in vision as decrease in smell.

14
Q

Describe three main evolutionary trends of the brain in primates.

A

Size - increasing size of brain relative to size of body

Cerebral cortex - makes up an increasingly large proportion of the brain.

Convolutions - makes up an increasingly large proportion of the brain.

15
Q

How has the cerebral cortex in primates evolvedover the years?

A
  • more accurate visual and tactile perception,.
  • better coordination
  • increases ability to locate food and develop special skills
  • tool making
  • greater variety of behavioural responses to meet a wide array of environmental problems.
16
Q

Describe four evolutionary trends of the gestation in primates.

A
  • Rhythmical sexual cycle
  • one offspring at a time
  • sexual maturity is attained much later in apes and humans than lemurs.
  • Long period of parental care.