BIOL 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 36: Brain Size, Bipedalism, Nuclear Dna
26 Mar 2017
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Our dna is more similar to chimpanzee"s vs gorilla-chimpanzee comparison. Comparative anatomy, molecular & comparative data gives us info about similarity. Molecular anylsus indicated the human lineage split from chimp linage. Molecular systematics indicated that both humans & chimps have evolved since divergence b/t two occurred. We share similar features with apes: large brain, complex social behaviour, parental care, grasping hands, hands with nails, opposable thumb. Humans are only ones that are entirely bipedal- upright stance. Selection favours bipedal individuals to move more efficiently. Since hands are not needed for locomotion, hands are used for specialized functions. Humans have more finer control in hands. We have 3 muscles that other primates do not have. B/c mouths are not used to carry material during motion, mouths have evolved. Brain size increased in hominins faster than body size. In mammals, as increase in body size, it leads to increased brain weight. Evolution of language may have caused increased brain size.
