WHERE+DID+HUMANS+COME+FROM?

1. As a group, discuss speciation and reasons why new species develop?


 * Complete the following sections on your RESEARCH NOTES handout.**

2. Using the laptops, try to find brief explanations or definitions for the following concepts: geographic isolation, interbreeding, generalization, specialization. Record your responses on the back of the handout.

[] [] [] See also microevolution (specialization) and macroevolution (generalization)

3. Describe how each of these concepts hinder or facilitate the evolution of one species into another. (8 total--geographic isolation facilitates, hinders, interbreeding facilitates, hinders, etc.)  How did Geographic Isolation help Dodo Birds survive? How did geographic isolation ultimately lead to their extinction?

How does Specialization of hummingbird beaks help them survive? What would happen if hummingbirds' food source collapses?

Generalization--Humans can eat almost anything. How does this help humans be successful? What factors (animal, weather, disease, overpopulation) threaten human food sources?

Interbreeding--Dog breeds--All dogs come from one common ancestor. How has selective breeding created dogs that are better adapted to their environments than wolves? (Example, dingos in Australia)What health problems do pure-bred dogs experience?

4. You will research and record note the location of each species, the time that it lived, anatomical characteristics, and social and cultural characteristics on your RESEARCH NOTES handout. Begin your research at the following sites:

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[|http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/ 1381/hominids2.html]

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[|http://cgi.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/ tryit/evolution]

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5. Investigate the following theories: MULTIREGIONALISM and OUT OF AFRICA and summarize on the appropriate handout. Begin your research here:

http://discovermagazine.com/1992/jul/eveandhertree79/?searchterm=eve%20africa%20evolution

http://discovermagazine.com/1992/nov/whopeopledthepla155/?searchterm=eve%20africa%20evolution

http://www.mhrc.net/mitochondrialEve.htm

http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc99/2_6_99/bob1.htm

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=is-out-of-africa-going-ou

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-migration-history-of-humans

6. Use the MAPPING EVOLUTION to illustrate the two theories they have learned about the evolution of Homo sapiens. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recent_African_Origin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiregional_hypothesis

7. Working individually, you will summarize your findings for a general audience. Write it like you are writing a magazine article. ---You should begin by providing some basic information a bout //Homo erectus//, Neanderthal, and //Homo sapiens//. ---Next, you should describe the out-of-Africa and multiregional hypotheses and the evidence in favor of each one. ---You should provide specific examples from your research, and they should make sure to phrase their explanations in language that they think most people can understand. ---You should try to mention the concepts of geographic isolation, interbreeding, generalization, and specialization in their discussion. ---Feel free to include illustrations, such as sketches of fossils or of the hypothesized appearance of these hominids, or maps showing the locations and time frames for each hominid group.

8. Working with a partner, answer the following questions. Make sure both of your names are on the paper. [][[http://anthropology.si.edu/humanorigins/|
 * ** 1. ** || Hypothesize the traits that you think would have been most important for a hominid species during the evolutionary process. ||
 * ** 2. ** || Explain the effects of geographic isolation on the evolutionary process. What happens when species become isolated from one another? ||
 * ** 3. ** || Discuss whether you think members of a hominid species would have benefited more from being generalists or specialists with regard to their habitat and diet. ||
 * ** 4. ** || Analyze the facts related to the evolution of//Homo sapiens.//Then explain which hypothesis seems the most convincing. Provide evidence to defend your position. ||
 * ** 5. ** || Explain the reasons why anthropologists are currently unable to settle the debate between out of Africa and multiregionalism. Hypothesize what anthropologists will have to learn before reaching a more firm conclusion about which theory is more correct. ||
 * ** 6. ** || Suppose that a vegetarian hominid species develops an adaptation to a meat-based diet. Hypothesize the effects of this on the species’ anatomy and intellectual abilities. ||

http://anthropology.si.edu/humanorigins/]]

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