Textbook Question
What adaptations inherited from our primate ancestors enable humans to make and use tools?
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Ch. 19 The Evolution of Vertebrate Diversity
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 Biology: The Study of Scientific Life19
- Ch. 2 The Chemical Basis of Life17
- Ch. 3 The Molecules of Cells21
- Ch. 4 A Tour of the Cell20
- Ch. 5 The Working Cell17
- Ch. 6 How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy18
- Ch. 7 Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food15
- Ch. 8 The Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance22
- Ch. 9 Patterns of Inheritance17
- Ch. 10 Molecular Biology of the Gene13
- Ch. 11 How Genes Are Controlled13
- Ch. 12 DNA Technology and Genomics23
- Ch. 13 How Populations Evolve17
- Ch. 14 The Origin of Species19
- Ch. 15 Tracing Evolutionary History18
- Ch. 16 Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists16
- Ch. 17 The Evolution of Plant and Fungal Diversity15
- Ch. 18 The Evolution of Invertebrate Diversity13
- Ch. 19 The Evolution of Vertebrate Diversity18
- Ch. 20 Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function11
- Ch. 21 Nutrition and Digestion16
- Ch. 22 Gas Exchange16
- Ch. 23 Circulation17
- Ch. 24 The Immune System16
- Ch. 25 Control of Body Temperature and Water Balance20
- Ch. 26 Hormones and the Endocrine System10
- Ch. 27 Reproduction and Embryonic Development12
- Ch. 28 Nervous Systems10
- Ch. 29 The Senses12
- Ch. 30 How Animals Move19
- Ch. 31 Plant Structure, Growth, and Reproduction9
- Ch. 32 Plant Nutrition and Transport12
- Ch. 33 Control Systems in Plants15
- Ch. 34 The Biosphere: An Introduction to Earth's Diverse Environments15
- Ch. 35 Behavioral Adaptations to the Environment12
- Ch. 36 Population Ecology15
- Ch. 37 Communities and Ecosystems14
- Ch. 38 Conservation Biology14
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783Not the one you use?Change textbook
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Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan 10th EditionCh. 19 The Evolution of Vertebrate DiversityProblem 16
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan 10th EditionCh. 19 The Evolution of Vertebrate DiversityProblem 16Chapter 19, Problem 16
Explain some of the reasons why the human species has been able to expand in number and distribution to a greater extent than most other animals.
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Identify the unique characteristics of humans that differentiate them from other species, such as advanced cognitive abilities, which allow for complex communication, problem-solving, and the development of cultures.
Discuss the development and use of technology by humans, which has enabled them to modify and adapt to various environments, leading to the creation of tools, clothing, and shelters that protect them from natural elements and predators.
Examine the social structure of human societies, which often involves cooperative living and social networks that provide mutual aid and protection, enhancing survival and reproductive success.
Consider the impact of agricultural developments, which began around 10,000 years ago and allowed humans to produce surplus food, leading to population growth and the establishment of permanent settlements.
Explore the role of medical advancements in increasing human lifespan and survival rates, including the development of vaccines, antibiotics, and other medical treatments that have significantly reduced mortality from diseases.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Adaptability
Humans possess a remarkable ability to adapt to diverse environments, which has allowed them to thrive in various climates and geographical locations. This adaptability is facilitated by cultural practices, technological innovations, and social structures that enable survival and resource utilization in different settings.
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Social Cooperation
The capacity for social cooperation is a defining trait of humans, enabling them to work together in groups for mutual benefit. This cooperation has led to the development of complex societies, sharing of resources, and collective problem-solving, which enhances survival and promotes population growth.
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Technological Advancement
Technological advancements have significantly contributed to human expansion by improving food production, healthcare, and living conditions. Innovations such as agriculture, medicine, and transportation have allowed humans to increase their numbers and spread across the globe, overcoming environmental challenges that limit other species.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Summarize the hypotheses that explain variation in human skin color as adaptations to variation in UV radiation.
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Textbook Question
A good scientific hypothesis is based on existing evidence and leads to testable predictions. What hypothesis did the paleontologists who discovered Tiktaalik test? What evidence did they use to predict where they would find fossils of transitional forms?
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Textbook Question
Anthropologists are interested in locating areas in Africa where fossils 4–8 million years old might be found. Why?
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Textbook Question
By measuring the fossil remains of Homo floresiensis, scientists have estimated its weight to be around 32.5 kg and its brain volume to be roughly 420 cm3. Plot these values on the graph in Figure 19.13A. Which hominin has the most similar relationship of brain volume to body mass? Does this information support the hypothesis that H. floresiensis is a dwarf form of H. erectus, or an alternative hypothesis? Explain.
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