Anthropology

Quiz number two covered chapter 4, “Becoming Human: The Origin and Diversity of Our Species” and a reading titled “Body Ritual among the Nacirema.” Chapter 4 discussed evolution through adaptation. It reviewed evolution, which refers to change over time, and natural selection. Charles Darwin stated that individuals who have biological characteristics that are best suited for certain environments are more likely to survive and reproduce than those who don’t have those genes. After the basic review of natural selection and Mendel’s pea pot plant experiment, chapter 4 began to discuss how humans and primates are similar to each other and how they differ.

In the 18th century, scientists had a difficult time classifying apes. They decided to put chimpanzees and orangutans right in between humans and other animals. However, it was difficult to classify these animals because they could walk erect, build structures, and use things to defend themselves just like humans can. They can also use other tools, such as using wipes or sponges to get drinking water out of a hollow. Additionally, while the earliest primates were nocturnal, today they are diurnal, meaning they’re active during the day. This change in behavior helped to shape humans today. Throughout evolution, primates also developed an increase in their brain size, specifically in the cerebral hemispheres. This is the area of the brain that supports conscious thought.

Humans are now classified as hominoids, meaning they’re broad-shouldered tailless group of primates that includes all living and extinct apes and humans. Humans are also known for bipedalism which means that they walk upright on both hind legs, and their larger brains. Fossils have been found that date back to 4.4 mya that were identified to belong to a hominoid species called Ardipithecus ramidus, which were one of the records of early bipeds. Bipeds could not run as fast as quadruped, walking on four legs, but they could travel longer distances...