Question

1- identify three specific variables that YOU think drove early Hominin evolution. These variables can be related to anatomy but remember—behaviors are the precedent prior to widespread anatomical changes of any species. From the two to three variables you identified, select one that may be the most influential in human evolution, and explain why YOU think this variable is the most important.

2- discuss the major anatomical differences between two separate species of early hominins from the Australopithecus genus. Compare and contrast the various anatomical and behavioral characteristics of the species you selected. Once you have done this, which of these two species is a more likely candidate as a direct ancestor to Anatomically Modern Humans?

Answer 1

Biology

Answer- factors that drove early hominid evolution:

1. Their exposure to predators caused them to favor BIPEDALISM, walking on hind legs.This gave their eyes greater elevation, the ability to see approaching danger from far off and gave them an efficient way of locomotion to save themselves from predators.

2.Climate change - Dramatic climate change caused them to think about their surroundings and adapt to it in different and new ways thus leading to their INCREASE IN BRAIN SIZE AND CAPACITY.As the environment became more unpredictable, bigger brain help our ancestors survive.It leads to developing the feeling of empathy and cooperation

3.Ulnar opposition- the contact between thumb and little finger of the same hand. This helped them in precision GRIP and power grip causing them to use weapons and tools in a right way.

The most influential factor that drove evolution has to be Climate change leading to increase in brain size and capacity. The reason being climate change made them to move to different locations and make adjustments according to their environment. Their new challenges in new habitats made their brain capacity to increase. Their development of cooking, making weapons to be protected from predators etc came as a result of increase in brain size and capacity.Thus climate change has to be the most important variable.

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