Human Ancestors Instructions and Worksheet PDF

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Mandatory lab practicals assignments...

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Human Ancestors The study of any species, human included, is aided by comparison of fossil structures to modern ones of known function. In addition, we infer human activities and abilities from the objects they leave behind. In this laboratory, you will make inferences from the various sources of evidence we have for the history of human form and behavior. Part 1. CRANIUM Skull features are useful for species comparisons, and from them we might make inferences about such traits as diet, intelligence, and culture. Procedure:

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1. Compare the human features listed below in skulls of non-primates to non-human and human primates, both ancient and modern shown in the Human Ancestors Lab PowerPoint. Brain size and proportions: The cerebrum is the thinking, languageprocessing, reasoning part of the brain. Eye placement: Eyes are positioned in one of two ways – one on each side of the head or both facing forward. Crest: A ridge down the middle of the top of the cranium provides a place for jaw muscle attachment. Teeth: Size and shape suggest the type of feeding for which they are adapted. Jaw angle: The two sides join at an angle at the chin. Brow ridges: A bony bump protrudes over the eye sockets. 2. Fill out the table on the data and observation page with your observations. 3. Answer the questions on the data and observation page.

Part 2. HANDS Grasping hands are structures found only rarely among animals. Procedure: 1. Pick up the following items and record your observations regarding the position of your hand and fingers on your data and observation sheet. A. Book B. Hammer or screwdriver C. Pen or Pencil BIOS 1010 General Biology 1

2. Pick up the same three items as in 1, but this time hold your thumb against the side of your palm. Record your observations on your data and observation sheet. 3. Answer the questions listed on the data and observation page. Part 3. TECHNOLOGY Today we think of computer chips and semiconductors, but let’s think back to low technology for a while. Stone, wood, shell, bone, and other natural materials can be modified for special uses and for saving labor. Procedure: 1. Putting yourself in the place of an early human toolmaker, examine the samples of natural materials shown in the Human Ancestors PowerPoint and answer the question on the data and observation sheet. 2. Examine various objects formed by early humans shown in the Human Ancestors PowerPoint and answer the question on the data and observation sheet. Part 4. ART Cave wall art may give us insights into the abilities and thinking processes of the artists. Procedure 1. Study the examples in the Human Ancestors PowerPoint, dating to 35,000 years ago. Record your observations and answer the questions on the data and observation sheet. Part 5. SPINAL COLUMN This bony structure is an all-important body support and a protection for the spinal cord. In horizontally-oriented animals (dogs, cows, etc.) it is generally horizontal, of course, while in more nearly upright animals (humans and their relatives) it is more vertical. Procedure: 1. Compare the distribution of body mass on the skeletal framework of horizontally-oriented animals to that of humans using the pictures in the Human Ancestors PowerPoint. Record your observations and answer the question on the data and observation sheet.

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2. Find the hole in the bottom of the cranium through which the spinal cord emerges from the brain in the pictures in the Human Ancestors PowerPoint. Compare this feature of the crania of horizontally-oriented and upright animals. Record your observations and answer the question on the data and observation sheet. Part 6. PELVIS This portion of the skeleton serves as the foundation for the spine and as a secure point of attachment for the hind/lower limbs. Its structure and relationship to the spine vary according to the posture of the animal. Procedure 1. Compare the pictures of the chimp pelvic bone and skeletal model to the pictures of the human pelvic bones and skeletal model in the Human Ancestors PowerPoint. Record your observations and answer the question on the data and observation sheet. Part 7. FEMUR The thigh bone is adapted for two functions – it both allows mobility and bears great weight. Procedure: 1. Examine the pictures of the skeleton in the Human Ancestors PowerPoint to find the ball-like end of this bone that fits into the socket of the pelvis. Record your observations and answer the question on the data and observation sheet. 2. Compare the picture of the femur from “Java Man” (0.5 to 1 million years ago) to the picture of the femur from modern humans found in the Human Ancestors PowerPoint. Record your observations and answer the question on the data and observation sheet. 3. Compare the picture of the femur from the chimpanzee to the picture of femur modern human in the Human Ancestors PowerPoint. Record your observations and answer the question on the data and observation sheet.

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Human Ancestors Data and Observation

Name _Frankline Olum

Part 1 CRANIUM Feature

Nonprimates

Brain Smaller broken up.

Non-human primates

Early humans

Modern humans

Smaller compacted

Larger/wider

Larger/wider

Eyes

Facing outwards

Facing outwards

Point straight front facing

Point straight front facing

Crest

Has crest.

Has crest

No crest

No crest

Teeth

Smaller but sharper

Small and sharp

Larger and soft looking/flat

Bigger soft looking/flat

Curvy shaped jaws

Pointy jaws

Pointy jaws

Has brow ridge.

No brow ridge.

No brow ridge.

Jaw Curved shaped jaws.

Brow

Has brow ridge.

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1. What trends can be seen or generalizations made about these structures in various kinds of animals? Generally, primates and humans tend to possess similar distinguishing features ,however, the structure within each is different as evident between non-human primates and early humans.

Part 2. HANDS Object

Picking up with Thumb

Book

Picking Up without Thumb

Thumbs on the top and fingers wrapped around the bottom

Used fingers-put pointer finger under book and used middle finger to balance while picking it up.

Hammer / Screwdriver

Fingers were around the top of the hammer and thumb around the bottom.

Picked pointy tip of the hammer up with fingers and secured with other fingers

Pen / Pencil

Use my thumb and the tips of my two fingers to pick up a pencil, with one finger is also possible but two gives more reinforcement.

It was not as easy to pick as with the thumb present, nevertheless, managed to pick it up with my pointer finger then rolled it with my middle finger to control

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it.

1. How do other animas (squirrel, dogs etc..) Recall how other animals grasp things such as food? The front limbs will act as a hand/support when holding food, however the mouth will be most dominantly used amongst these animals.

2. What is the adaptive significance of the thumb in the human hand? Holding things tightly with a good grip and stability

Part 3. TECHNOLOGY 1. Which of the materials would be the most useful for making tools or weapons? Why? What kinds of objects would you make from them? Rocks, lava, chert, flint, wood, metals because they are readily available, strong and can be shaped into various form of shape. The can be used to make hunting tools and weaponry like arrows, knives, spears, machetes, hoe, utensils and ornaments.

2. What body structures or abilities would be essential for forming and using these objects? Brain to be able to think and conceptualize/create a mental picture of what a particular material can be used to make, the hands to be able to grab those materials and mold or shape them and even use them. Kindly note that you necessarily do not need hand to use these tools or materials, some bird of preys is known to take their preys up in the sky or even fruits and nuts with hard shells and drop them down on hard surfaces like hard rocks for the sole purpose of killing the prey or breaking the nuts. This is the rationale for my choice of brain. BIOS 1010 General Biology 6

Part 4. ART 1. What body structures and abilities would be essential for making these artistic creations? Brain, hands, fingers, eyes

2: What could be the reason for making such artworks on cave walls? Storytelling, leaving behind clues as they migrate from one place to another, document events/history, help to remember seasons/dates/occasions.

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Part 5. SPINAL COLUMN Observation of body mass:

1. What special challenges or difficulties does vertical posture present to the upright organism? The risk of pain and back problems

Observation of hole in craniums

1. Even if you had only the cranium, you could predict the posture of the organism. Explain your method: You just must focus on where the spinal cord connects, then you will be able to predict.

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Part 6. PELVIS Observation of chimp pelvic bone and skeletal model to the human pelvic bones and skeletal model.

1. From the available skeletal evidence, does stable upright posture seem possible with the pelvis of a non-human primate? Explain: Opinion might be divided on the possibility, however, it is good to note that human pelvis supports a lot of weight therefore anon human pelvis would not be based placed to bear the weight and support. It is simply not designed to do so.

Part 7. FEMUR

Observation of ball-like end of this bone

1. Describe the relationship of the ball’s neck to the shaft of the bone: Femur is designed to aid in movement and also in support of weight.

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2.

Considering the risk of this neck being broken by the weight it carries, it may seem odd that this bone is built like a shelf bracket. We might ask, “What advantage is offered by the angling of the neck? What disadvantage would exist if the ball were at the top of the femur, not at the side?”

Addressing this concerns must be looked at in terms of mobility. The advantage is that there would be more room for mobility while disadvantage would be less mobility.

Observation of Java Man femur in comparison to modern human

1. Does it seem from the evidence available that the walking ability of this pre-historic individual resembles that of a modern human? Explain: since the outward walking supports the walking ability so yes, they are similar because the ball is still on the head of the bone.

Observation of chimpanzee femur in comparison to modern human

1. Does it seem from the evidence available that the walking ability of this primate resembles that of a modern human? Explain: Yes, they are created similar with the same type of protection.

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Analysis Reviewing what is known about our ancestors, we try to relate the experiences of early humans to our contemporary lives.

1. Put yourself in the place of an early human, probably living in danger of confrontation with potential predators. These other animals have strongly–muscled jaws and legs, plus sharp teeth and claws. In hand-toclaw combat, you might find yourself at a disadvantage! What uniquelyhuman traits do you have that might allow survival in such a competitive setting? My upright posture and bipedal will enable me to see far, and run where necessary, my skills in tool making and the use of hands will give me a comparative advantage for I will be able to set traps, use weapons/hunting tools, make fire to scare ware enemies e.t.c

2. A quote from Carl Sagan seems to sum up everything nicely: “ The history of life can be described as the gradual dominance of brains over genes.” What did he mean by this? Its not the strong that will survive but the most intelligence who are able to adopt based on their knowledge of the situation.

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BIOS 1010 Introduction to Biology Page 12...