Humans as Bipedal Primates (A.S. 91606 ( Bio 3.6 Ext ) Human Evolution )

Its easy to forget that we humans (Homo sapiens) are just another primate. So what is a primate? 

You'll need to be able to remember what are the defining features that make a primate a primate.

Step 1 : So to help here is a video that explains what to look for - or just look in the mirror. (Learn)

Mission 1 : Replay the clip if needed but now its time to read and complete the pages on Typical features of primates and Humans are primates. (Learn)

Challenge 1 : How do you tell the difference between Prosimians, New world monkeys, Old world monkeys and Apes?? (Share)

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Step 2 : As we learn about our evolutionary journey you'll need to know about the structures and features of primate skulls - you can learn a lot about someone form what's under the skin. But you need to be able to recognise and compare these boney bits. We start with skulls but later we'll look at other key body structures too. They may not be our closest primate relative but they are closest in size. Have a look as the structures of gorilla and human skulls are compared. (Learn)

Mission 2 : Got all that?? Test your knowledge by reading and completing the Features of the primate skull. and Comparing human and chimpanzee skulls. (Learn)

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This whole section is titled "Humans as bipedal primates". So what exactly is bipedal? The next sections of work are all about how us primates get around. Key words are Aboreal, Brachiating, Knuckle Walking and Bipedalism. some of these we met in the first video about primate features..... go back and look again if needed.

Step 3 : Have a look at the next clips as key forms of locomotion are explained or demonstrated. You'll also meet some more new terms and hear the names of some of our ancestors that we'll meet later (Learn)

Mission 3 : Now read and complete the pages on Modes of primate locomotion, Bipedalism, Foramen Magnum and Nuchal crest and Summary of features related to Bipedalism. (Learn)

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So what was it that caused our early ancestors to leave the nice safe tree tops? Leaving the arboreal lifestyle behind and wandering about on the ground! Was there one key thing driving the change? Or was it a combination of things? Once on the ground - what was it that kept them there? Nothing, in nature, changes without a good reason.

Step 4 : Have a look at this, as several of the leading theories are summarised for us. (Learn)

Mission 4 : Now read and complete the Evolution of bipedalism and Selecting for bipedalism pages in your work book. (Learn)

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Here is some extra information about the trends for, and things that we need for being bipedal. These are important to remember as they commonly are needed in exam questions.(Learn)

So now we are walking upright .... we don't need 4 feet = we get 2 feet and 2 hands. How did they come about - fingers with nails, not toes and claws. Sure maybe they came about in the trees (rewatch the brachiation clip if needed) but now that we're on the ground what else can we do with them?

Step 5 : Lets see how your hands began the journey into being what they are now. (Learn)

Mission 5 : As you write in your answers after reading the information on Bipedalism and the hand in your work books - consider what kind of grip are you using? Could you do that if you were still arboreal? (Learn)

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So our arboreal ancestors came down out of the trees, became bipedal, which freed up the hands. So now what? = A question to get you using your brain -So  when did we start thinking? There is a theory (maybe more than 1) that links becoming bipedal, and using our hands + thumbs with our increasing levels of intelligence.

Step 6 : Lets take a look at how our brain came into being and then also at some ideas about how our intelligence evolved. (Learn)

If you want to know a bit more about the bits of the brain - have a look at this too.

Mission 6 : Now using that massive brain of yours and your evolved intelligence read and complete the questions on Endocranial features. (Learn)

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So our ancestors were once quadrupedal - it doesn't matter what theory you follow as to how or why - we have become bipedal. 

But being bipedal comes with issues : eg by standing upright your guts instead of being supported by the "hammock' of your abdominal muscles are now trying to fall out your bum. That got stopped by changing the shape of our pelvis .... now we have issues getting babies out. Plus not to mention the issues with back pain, knees, feet etc. 

Just remember evolution doesn't change without good reason = the benefits out weigh the "costs". Eg we run slower as a biped .... but we can run for longer = tire out our prey.

Step 7 : Have a look at some of the issues facing us ..... there is a bit of extraneous bumpf to put up with (aka advertising) but weed that out and we some interesting things to deal with. (Learn)

Mission 7 : Now read what it says in you workbooks on The problems with being Bipedal and answer the questions there. Hint : think about the gap we have to fit through = if we were born as developed as a primate baby, would we fit? (Learn)

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Here is a kind of summary of the information covered in this section - it has extra stuff = will help with what comes next and with filling in general knowledge gaps. (Learn)

Step 8 : To finish of the topic take the time to complete the Definition page at the start plus the Chapter review and puzzle page/s (Learn)

Final Mission : have a go at the Humans as primates chapter review questions. (Learn)