Recent fossil discoveries and ancient DNA analyses have challenged our ideas on the evolution of modern humans and our closest relatives. Outline current thinking on the origin of modern humans and their relationship to other hominins.

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Jean KeelingLv2

7 Jun 2018

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In 1871, Charles Darwin made one of the boldest scientific predictions ever: that Africa was the likely location where the human lineage diverged from all other animal species. The validity of his prediction is supported by both fossil and DNA evidence. The accompanying article Overview of Hominin Evolution by Herman Pontzer explores the evolution of our own species beginning just prior to the divergence of our lineage from that of chimpanzees and bonobos. Read through the article and answer the following questions:

1. Was the last common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees (HC-LCA) more similar to living apes or humans? Explain.

2. What were two of the first human traits to appear in the hominin fossil record?

3. In what anatomical feature was Sahelanthropus most similar to modern day humans?

4. Why is the comparison of human evolution to a life boat rather than to a powerful ship more appropriate?

1) What is the point of sequencing Neanderthal DNA?

To look at haplotypes, and how they compare to those in Modern Humans.

The point is only to learn more about all extinct species.

To find identifying genetic markers in populations.

To lay the Neanderthal and Human sequences side by side, base pair by base pair, and identify exactly where they diverge.

2)What is one of the main complications of sequencing the Neanderthal Genome?

There are no ccomplications with sequencing the Neanderthal genome.

Neanderthals lived to long ago to even think about havung any preserved genetic material.

Over time, DNA mutates. If too much time has passed, the DNA will not be the same as the original individual's.

Over time, DNA degrades and breaks down leaving only fragmented pieces of DNA.

3)In the last several thousand years, the majority of human evolution has NOT been

Physical

Cultural

The majority of evolution has not been happening in the last several thousand years.

Biological

4) Which of the following best describes the relationship between humans and other animals?

According to the evidence, humans share a common ancestor with primates and carnivores, but not with birds and reptiles.

Humans have existed longer than other animals. This explains our superiority and relative complexity.

We do not have enough evidence to create testable hypotheses about the relationship between humans and other animals.

Humans are primates, and share common ancestors with all other animals, including dinosaurs.

The NOVA series âBecoming Humanâ describes the discoveries ofseveral different fossilized remains found in Africa of humanancestors. These discoveries are changing the way scientists thinkabout the evolution of our species from ape like ancestors. It isbecoming clear that the earth and specifically the African riftvalley, a few million years ago, was going through severe climatechanges. In part II there is new evidence about when humans becameessentially hairless and the selective advantage for thischange.

For your post, choose one of the discoveries above, (bipedalism,or brain size, or hairlessness, or relationshipswith neanderthals) and describe the selective pressures found inthe environment that might have contributed to its development. Dosome additional research on the web to determine if the viewspresented in this NOVA series regarding the trait of your choiceare supported by other scientists or do other scientists disagree.Moreover, can you see any parallels or lessons that relate to theclimate changes we see right now and the future of human evolution?Finally, comment on whether the research presented in this NOVAseries changed your view of the theory of evolution. Does itprovide further support for the theory or does it call intoquestion the validity of the theory as a whole?

Can you please help me? Thank you so much!