HUMAN EVOLUTION

Characteristic Structural changes/trends from African apes Significance of structural change from African apes to humans
to humans
AFRICAN APES HUMANS
Cranium Smaller cranium housing a smaller Larger cranium housing a larger brain A larger cranium allows space for a larger brain in humans than in ape-like beings, making the following
brain possible:
• Better co-ordination of movement
• Processing of a large amount of information
• Processing information faster
• Development of spoken and written languages to communicate
Position of foramen magnum Foramen magnum – more backward of Foramen magnum – centrally/more • The foramen magnum is located towards the back of the skull in African apes so that the vertebral
the skull forward column arises from the back of the skull for quadrupedal locomotion
• The foramen magnum is located centrally/more forward below the skull in humans so that the
vertebral column arises from beneath the skull for bipedalism
• A decrease in the length of the arms indicates a decreased dependency on its use in locomotion and
therefore shows a more advances bipedalism.

Advantages of bipedalism:
• Increased awareness of the environment in sensing danger/food
• Freeing of the hands to use implements√ / carry objects/ weapons/ offspring
• Exposure of a large surface area for thermoregulation /losing body heat to surroundings in hot
conditions/reducing overheating
Spine Less curved spine (C-shaped) More curved spine (S-shaped) • The spine is more curved in humans for balance keep the centre of gravity of the body over the
pelvis
• Lower spine has a greater curvature in humans to allow free movements of the legs
Pelvic girdle Long, narrow pelvis Short, wide pelvis • The pelvis more cup-shaped to support the internal organs
• Wider sacrum and hips to be able to carry the upright weight of the body.
Brow ridges Brow ridges well developed Brow ridges not well developed • Brow ridges became less developed since the action of smaller jaws did not create forces great
enough for the skull to have increased strength from the brow ridges
• The change in food diet from raw to cooked food does not require the same amount of tearing, biting
and chewing
Teeth Large canines/teeth Small canines/teeth • Dentition: Decrease in the size of the teeth in humans OR decrease in the size of the canines.
Diastema present/larger spaces No diastema/fewer spaces between • The change in food diet from raw to cooked food does not require the same amount of tearing, biting
between teeth the teeth and chewing
Palate shape Narrow and rectangular u - shaped Wider and more curved c- shaped • The change in food diet from raw to cooked food does not require the same amount of tearing, biting
and chewing

Jaws Large jaws Small jaws • The change in food diet from raw to cooked food (softer)does not require the same amount of
More protruding jaws/more Less protruding jaws/less non- tearing, biting and chewing
prognathous prognathous
Cranial ridges Cranial ridge across the top of the No cranial ridge • Cranial ridges served as attachment for jaw muscles and indicate the presence of strong jaw muscles
cranium in some ape-like beings.
• Humans do not have a cranial ridge because there is no need for strong jaw muscles as humans rely
mainly on a diet of cooked food that does not require the same amount of tearing/biting and
chewing.

Developed by Jannie Gerber (Subject Adviser – Cape Winelands district)