One compelling piece of evidence for human evolution is the fossil record, particularly thediscovery of transitional fossils like Australopithecus afarensis. Lucy, discovered in 1974,provides an essential link between us humans today and our ape - like ancestors. Her headskeleton, especially the pelvis and leg bones, indicates that she walked upright, a key traitdistinguishing early hominins from other primates. This evidence is compelling because itdirectly shows us physical adaptations in ancient species from millions of years ago that alignwith the evolutionary theory of bipedalism. Supporting this theory the gradual changesobserved in the fossil record, from ape- like traits to more human-like features, offer concrete,sequentially proof of how humans have evolved over the years.

Answered: One compelling piece of evidence for…

Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)

11th Edition

ISBN:9781305251052

Author:Michael Cummings

Publisher:Michael Cummings

Chapter19: Population Genetics And Human Evolution

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 25QP: Genomics and Human Evolution The Denisovan genome contains sequences that originated from an unknown...

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In studying recent fossils of the genus Homo, such as Cro-Magnon,biologists have determined that modern humans have not undergonemuch biological evolution in the past 50,000 years. Rather, culturalanthropologists argue that cultural evolution has been far moreimportant than biological evolution in the recent history of modernhumans. What do they mean by this? Support your argument withsome examples.
There is no concrete evidence of which early hominin was our direct ancestor, as fossils do not contain genetics. Overall, the Australopithecines are the "missing link" bridging our ape to human transition. Each species, and there are a few, includes a combination of traits considered more ape-like or more human-like. How does this affect society feelings/views/ideas about early human evolution and what the "missing link" should or should not be.
We have studied how the six major primate groups evolved, with the most recent group being the hominins.The hominins branched off from main ape group around 7 million years ago.According to our lessons explain your reasoning as to whether there is a missing link,or one single specimen that embodies both ape and hominin traits, that serves as a transition between what is clearly ape and what is clearly hominin?What have you found most interesting about the beginning of hominin evolution and why?
If you as a paleoanthropologist are plannin an excavation at a hominin site in East Africa which is dated to about 2 million years old, which fossil hominin species might you expect to find?
Paleoanthropologists generally agree that Homo erectus belongs in our genus and represents a significant shift towards adaptations important to our own species. However, there is much variation among specimens that are grouped into H. erectus. Your instructor will let you know which of these fossil representatives to use for the exercise today.Based on your measurements and comparisons in the table above, what are major differences among Au. africanus, H. habilis, and H. erectus? Do you think H. habilis is more like Australopithecus or Homo? How do these three species reflect the major environmental pressures of the time periods in which they lived, respectively? List three features that are changing in the genus Homo due to these selective pressures. List three features found in H. erectus that are derived, compared to Au. africanus.
Some genetic studies suggest that the most recent common ancestor of Homo sapiens that lived outside of Africa spread from Africa about 50,000 years ago. Compare this date to the dates of the fossil record. Can both the genetic results and the dates ascribed to the fossils be correct? Explain and Justify.
Australopithecus afarensis (Select] [ Select] is the oldest definite bipedal hominid discovered to date is the largest collection, and the most well-studied species of Australopithecus Question 28 is only found in South Africa had a fully modern postcranial skeleton all of these I en+ svidence indicates
Neanderthal fossils were first discovered in the nineteenth century. Study of their morphology suggested that Neanderthals were more closely related to humans than any living species of primate was. Much later, it became possible to sequence DNA from Neanderthal fossils and compare the sequences to those from other primates. Did the results confirm or refute the earlier conclusions based on morphology? Explain.
The geological context of fossil hominid materials in south Africa is [Select] Time [ Select] less complicated than in east Africa characterized by volcanic layers which can be easily dated « Previous permits precise radiometric dating of the sediments is characterized by complex cave deposits all of these are correct
Knowledge of the genomes of ancient homininsmight help us better understand not only the evolutionaryhistory of hominins, but also the traits that differ between usand our relatives—the traits that make us human. Our understandingof the functions of different genes is growing rapidly,so detailed comparisons of our genes to those present in, say,Neanderthals and Denisovans are very revealing. What do youthink are the functions most likely to be related to the geneticdifferences between us and our hominin relatives?
Evolution in Humans 1) explain how fossil evidence is used to reconstruct the hominid history 2) explain how genetic evidence is used to document changes in species and populations over time 3) describe several techniques that paleontologists today use to establish fossil age
While listening to a hominin evolution podcast, the narrator mentions that the overall similarity of Homo erectus fossils from Africa, Asia, and Europe, and through time represents evolutionary statis. What evidence is there that this is not the case? A. The size of the teeth and jaws increased from earlier to later forms. B. There was an overall increase in cranial robusticity from earlier to later forms. C. The thickness of the cranial bone increased from earlier to later forms. D. Brain size increased by approximately 30% from earlier to later forms.

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