Human Evolution

Human evolution
We have heard this particular statement that we have evolved from our ancestors.
What is seen now on planet earth is a result of evolution. So, what exactly is
evolution? Is there any science behind it? Come let us find out interesting facts
about evolution and speciation.The Basic Idea of Evolution
There is a lot of science behind the theory of evolution. Scientists and researchers
have done intensive studies to show how living things evolved and how traits and
characteristics passed on from generations to generations.
Ultimately, when we speak of evolution, we actually speak of the genetic

characteristics that are inherited and passed on from one generation to the other.
The whole process of evolution gives rise to biodiversity at all levels, including
species, organisms, and even molecules.
An important basis on which the theory of evolution is based on is that all species
are related and gradually change over time. But the frequency of an inherited trait
that undergoes a change is spread over generations. Genes control the traits.
Therefore we can say that the frequency of genes in a population changes over
generations.
Stages of Evolution
The evolution of man began about 15 million years ago when the first known man
walked this earth. Humans today developed through many stages of evolution
from primates that are now extinct. This evolutionary process from the primates
who walked on all four limbs to the humans today who walk on two hind limbs
has been a very long one.
The
genus of the human being today is called Homo and the man today is called as
Homo sapiens. From simple life forms that were unicellular to the development of
multicellular organisms gave rise to the vertebrates. The vertebrates began
evolving that led to the development of mammals. Among the mammals, humans
are most closely related to primates such as the orangutan
The family to which human beings belong is called Hominidae. It was in the
Miocene age that the family Hominidae split from the Pongidae(apes) family.
Dryopethicus was the first in the evolution of man in the stages of evolution and
some believe him to be the common ancestor of man and apes.
Dryopethicus
He was the earliest known ancestor of man. At the same time as his existence,
Ramapethicus existed who was more human-like than Dryopethicus. Dryopethicus
inhabited the European region and some parts of Asia and Africa. Stages of
evolution of humans began from him. After Dryopethicus and Ramapethicus came
to the genus Australopethicus which preceded the genus Homo.
Australopithecus
Australopithecus ramidus: Was 1.2 meters tall and the fossils show the foramen
magnum that was large to indicate upright walking. The forelimbs were different
from those of the earlier ape-like ancestors. They had teeth like humans.
Australopithecus afarensis– ‘Lucy’ the famous fossil belonged to this species.
They are said to have inhabited the African mainland. And they were shorter than
the Australopithecus ramidus and had a small skull with flat noses and no chin.
They were able to walk on two legs but the legs were slightly bowed which made
their walk slightly ape-like. The bowed legs, fingers, and toes enabled them to
climb trees and live there. They had large teeth and jaws.
Australopithecus africanus– These also inhabited the African mainland. They
were bipedal and had a small skull with small brains than Homo erectus but larger
than their predecessors. Also, they had large teeth compared to current day
humans and were herbivorous. They had large jaws.
Australopithecus robustus– He was taller than his predecessors but still ape-like.
They also weighed more than their ancestors. After the Australopithecus genus
came the Homo genus. The first man in the genus was Homo habilis.
Homo
Homo habilis– He had a face similar to his ancestors. The skull and brain size
indicate that he may have been able to speak. The earliest tools made were from
this era. Homo habilis is known as the ‘handy man’ because he was the first to
make and use tools. He was around 5 feet tall and erect.
Homo erectus– after Homo habilis came, the Homo erectus who was also upright.
He had a smaller but longer face, less prominent or absent chin, larger brain size
and prominent speech. He knew how to make and use tools, he made a fire and
knew how to control it. Homo erectus was carnivorous. He knew the existence of
groups and they began spreading from Africa to Asia and Europe. The Java Man
and Peking Man had brain capacities similar to modern man at 1300cc. They were
cave dwellers.
Homo sapiens– After Homo erectus came, the Homo sapiens who separated into
two types:
1) Homo sapiens neanderthelensis
They had a brain size larger than modern man and were gigantic in size. Also, they
had a large head and jaw and were very powerful and muscular. They were
carnivores and the tools from the era indicate they were hunters. They were also
cave dwellers but their caves were more comfortable and they lived in groups and
hunted for food gathering.
2) Homo sapiens sapiens
Also known as ‘modern-day man’ is what we are today. Compared to the Homo
sapiens neanderthelensis, they became smaller in size and the brain size reduced
to 1300cc. There was also a reduction in the size of the jaw, rounding of the skull
and chin. Cro- Magnon was the earliest of the Homo sapiens. They spread wider
from to Europe, Australia, and the Americas. They were omnivores, had skilful
hands, developed the power of thinking, producing art, more sophisticated tools
and sentiments.
Evolution is not a thing of the past and is continuing even now. Humans are
undergoing ‘natural selection’ for many different traits based on their life and
environment in the present. It is believed that the jaw size is reducing further and
the wisdom teeth are soon going to become extinct.
Acquired and Inherited Traits

Acquired traits are qualities that are developed in an individual in response to
certain conditions in the environment. These cannot be transferred to the
progeny. They only help an organism to survive. And therefore, they do not direct
the evolution process. Examples include bending of plants due to wind, calluses
(Corns or even hard skin) on fingers etc.
Inherited traits are the characters or qualities that are passed on from parents to
their offspring i.e. from one generation to the other generation. They have a
major role in the evolution process. Some examples include the color hair, eyes,
shape of the nose, bone structure etc.
Speciation
The formation of new species from the existing species is called as speciation.
Here, a single evolutionary lineage splits up into two or more genetically
independent lineages. The occurrence of speciation is due to the following
reasons:
Genetic drift – A random change in the frequency of alleles over successive

generations in a population.
Gene flow – This speciation occurs between populations which are partly
separated but not completely separated.
Natural selection – Nature selects and consolidates those organisms which are
more suitable and adaptable. They also possess favourable variations.
Geographical isolation – This is caused by mountains, rivers, and other geographic

features. This form of isolation leads to reproductive isolation. As a result, there is
no flow of genes in the separated groups of the population.
Evolution and Classification

So, how does evolution play a role in classifying organisms? In your previous
classes, you have learned how living organisms are classified into various groups
and subgroups. The basis of classification is the closeness of the species in each
group. Each subgroup of species has a recent common ancestor which again has a
distant common ancestor. And, so as you go backward, you will then trace back to
the very beginning of life on earth, where all organisms have evolved from a
common ancestor. Thus you can see how classification and evolution are
interlinked.
Species are classified based on their evolutionary relationships. When species

have common characteristics, they are closely related. The more closely they are
related, the more likely is the chance of a common ancestor. Similarities between
organisms thus allow us to classify them together.

Human Evolution

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Human Evolution

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Human evolution

Ultimately, when we speak of evolution, we actually speak of the genetic

1) Homo sapiens neanderthelensis

2) Homo sapiens sapiens

Acquired and Inherited Traits

Genetic drift – A random change in the frequency of alleles over successive

Geographical isolation – This is caused by mountains, rivers, and other geographic

Evolution and Classification

Species are classified based on their evolutionary relationships. When species

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