Natural selection & evolution

• What is the main idea of natural selection proposed by Charles Darwin?

  Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.
• How does the fossil record contribute to our understanding of evolution?

  The fossil record shows how species have changed and diverged over time.
• What is the significance of Lucy in human evolution?

  Lucy is a famous Australopithecus fossil discovered 4.6 million years ago.
• What are the key features of hominins?

  • Larger brain size
  • Changes in teeth structure (closed brows, flat face, bigger jaw)
  • Unique skeletal structure adapted for bipedalism
  • Height around 2.2 meters
  • Adaptations for walking and climbing
• How do the features of Homo erectus differ from earlier hominins?

  Homo erectus had a much larger brain size and was better adapted for walking upright.
• Who discovered the Homo erectus fossil in Kenya?

  Leakey discovered the Homo erectus fossil in Kenya.
• What does the human evolution timeline illustrate?

  • Evolution of hominins over millions of years
  • Key species such as Australopithecus and Homo sapiens
  • Major milestones in human development
• What is the height of the hominin species mentioned in the study material?

  They were around 2.2 meters high.
• What adaptations did early hominins have for walking?

  Early hominins had legs and feet adapted for walking upright.
• How do the brain sizes of early hominins compare to modern humans?

  Early hominins had smaller brain sizes compared to modern humans.
• What is the evolutionary relationship between humans and chimpanzees?

  Humans and chimpanzees evolved from a common ancestor.
• What does the term "hominin" refer to?

  Hominin refers to the group that includes modern humans and their ancestors.
• What can be inferred about the evolution of human features over time?

  Human features have evolved to become more specialized for bipedalism and complex behaviors.
• What role does variation play in natural selection?

  Variation allows certain individuals to be better adapted to their environment, increasing their chances of survival.