ANTH 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 49: Brain Size, Foramen Magnum, Bipedalism
Anth 102
Introduction to Human
Origins.
Spring 2018
Advantages and
Disadvantages to Bipedalism
A. Drawbacks to walking on two legs
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- Every single primate is habitual quadraped except humans
- Stomachs and internal organs more exposed; exposure of soft underbelly in
sc. Terms
- If lose one leg then cannot walk
- A lot of weight on two legs
- Considerably slower—can’t outun uadaped
- Cant change direction quickly
- Balance is reduced
- Less effective climbers
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- Makes an animal more visible to predators
- Exposes soft underbelly
- Interferes with ability to change direction while running
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Document Summary
Disadvantages to bipedalism: drawbacks to walking on two legs. Every single primate is habitual quadraped except humans. Stomachs and internal organs more exposed; exposure of soft underbelly in sc. A lot of weight on two legs. Makes an animal more visible to predators. Interferes with ability to change direction while running. Leg or foot injury seriously hinders a biped. Frees up hands- reaches for foods, throwing rocks at enemies, carrying offspring, etc. After 3-4 million years ago, african landscape starts changing. Called savannah hypothesis- global climate change- less woodlands more grasslands etc. Further sight distance over tall grasses (predators can see you, but you can see them) Energy efficiency able to travel longer distances. Body temperature- keeps the brain from overheating heat radiates from the ground. Aquatic ape hypothesis- share some features with mammals that live in the water. Some think that bipedalism helps travel over water: early bipedal candidates, sahelanthropus tchadnsis. Modern: flat face, small teeth, anterior foramen magnum.
