HUMAN
EVOLUTION
MATRIC IEB LIFE
SCIENCE
, Primate order
Evidence of primate’s common ancestor
1. Biological evidence
- All primates found on land that was
previously Gondwanaland (separated due
to continental drift)
2. Arboreal
- Lived in trees
Adaptations seen for arboreal lifestyle
- Clavicle= stabilizes shoulder joints (allows primates
to support weight by hanging from arms alone)
- Long slender limbs= rotate freely (movement in
trees)
- Opposable thumbs= grip onto branches and
fingerprints/ridges for friction when grasping onto
things
, 3. Genetic evidence
- Share larger % of DNA (98.5%)
- Large number of olfactory-receptor and
pseudo-genes
- Full trichromatic colour vision
Other characteristics shared between primates
- Complex brain (advanced learned behaviours)
- Flattened face and reduced snout (reduced sense of smell)
- Eyes that face forwards (full range of vision- see further, more
accurate)
- Flat nails (more manipulation)
- Molars and pre-molars with cusps that are low and rounded (not a
raw diet)
- Complex social behavior (infant care)
Order of primates
Evidence of a common ancestor – apes and humans
Atomical similarities Eyes that face forward- stereoscopic
vision
1. Upright posture Molars and pre-molars with cusps that
are low and rounded
2. Lack external tails Eyes with cones for colour vision
3. Opposable thumbs Sexually dimorphic- males and females
vary in physical traits
4. Flat nails and fingers and toes Large brain compared to body mass
EVOLUTION
MATRIC IEB LIFE
SCIENCE
, Primate order
Evidence of primate’s common ancestor
1. Biological evidence
- All primates found on land that was
previously Gondwanaland (separated due
to continental drift)
2. Arboreal
- Lived in trees
Adaptations seen for arboreal lifestyle
- Clavicle= stabilizes shoulder joints (allows primates
to support weight by hanging from arms alone)
- Long slender limbs= rotate freely (movement in
trees)
- Opposable thumbs= grip onto branches and
fingerprints/ridges for friction when grasping onto
things
, 3. Genetic evidence
- Share larger % of DNA (98.5%)
- Large number of olfactory-receptor and
pseudo-genes
- Full trichromatic colour vision
Other characteristics shared between primates
- Complex brain (advanced learned behaviours)
- Flattened face and reduced snout (reduced sense of smell)
- Eyes that face forwards (full range of vision- see further, more
accurate)
- Flat nails (more manipulation)
- Molars and pre-molars with cusps that are low and rounded (not a
raw diet)
- Complex social behavior (infant care)
Order of primates
Evidence of a common ancestor – apes and humans
Atomical similarities Eyes that face forward- stereoscopic
vision
1. Upright posture Molars and pre-molars with cusps that
are low and rounded
2. Lack external tails Eyes with cones for colour vision
3. Opposable thumbs Sexually dimorphic- males and females
vary in physical traits
4. Flat nails and fingers and toes Large brain compared to body mass
