In: Anatomy and Physiology
Provide a brief description of at least 5 distinct morphological features associated with bipedalism. Beyond just giving the name of a feature/bone, make sure you indicate how it has changed in hominin species in relation to bipedalism.
The DISTINCT feature of bipedalism
1. organized bony structure - our bone structure helps us to move on two legs, by the organized and developed pelvis, knee joint and foot bones of early hominids. which help in carrying objects, wading to forage aquatic foods and to avoid shoreline predators, vigilantly standing in tall grass, presenting phallic following migrant herds on the savanna, and conserving energy
2. cranium position spinal cord run perpendicular to the mandibular bone and ground and anterior position of foramen magnum helps to balance the mass of the head above the vertebrae, and its inferior orientation reflects the anatomical relationship between the cranium and vertebral column.
3.lumbar vertebrae - more number in vertebra then apes (apes have 4 vertebrae and bipedal have 5 vertebrae)
increase in number and size of vertebrae help in flexibility and also help in maintaining body weight while walking and movement on two legs
4 increase brain size - it contributes to social behaviour, increase in communication by symbols or language, capabilities of other culture mediated behaviour
5 hands - most common adaptation is free thumb which help in grasping,fingertip become broad,develop finger dexterity