Graded Activity 6

HUMAN EVOLUTION Part I: What are the major changes that have taken place in human evolution? Watch the video "Seven million years of evolution" and answer the following question. Hominini is the biological group that humans belong to. It includes Homo sapiens (modern humans) and several extinct but closely related species. Members of this biological group are called hominins. How have hominins changed over the past 7 million years? Hominins have changed a lot over the past 7 million years physically. Some of these physical changes include bipedalism, larger brain size, limb size, body size and shape, dexterous fingers, and limb proportions. Early hominins showed evidence of an extra toe for tree climbing, but it got evolved out 4 million years ago. A lot of hominins changed geographically and had to develop to their environment with the use of tools.

Part II: Comparing Hominin and Ape Anatomy Fill out the following data table by watching the instructional video and then exploring the interactive " Meet the Relatives " on your own. Fill in either Yes, No, or Somewhat , for the different physical traits for each of the species listed below. Humans ( Homo sapiens ) Chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes ) Lucy ( Australopithecus afarensis ) Neanderthal ( Homo neanderthalensis) Long arms? (Yes, No, Somewhat) somewhat yes somewhat somewhat Large brain? (Yes, No, Somewhat) yes no no somewhat Does the mouth stick out? (Yes, No, Somewhat) no yes no no Short, wide pelvis? (Yes, No, Somewhat) yes no yes somewhat Large femoral head? (Yes, No, Somewhat) yes no no yes Opposable toe? (Yes, No, Somewhat) yes yes no no Bipedal? (Yes, No, Somewhat) yes no somewhat somewhat