Biology and Bipedalism

Now that we have a bit of experience using observation skills such as those learned in the meiosis and mitosis, gametes, karyotypes, classification (andesennii), mammals, general primates,locomotor patterns etc. That is, we have been building observation skills in order to enhance your ability to see things in science and make decisions.

The process is essential to understanding the connections of things to other things. It is one thing to read about it and another to see those connections from your own work. In this section we level-up the skill set a bit by having you review the images and see what there is here.

The goal for this unit is to connect the evolutionary process overtime from acquiring land, to mammals, to primates, to ape, and to land on human-like animals and humans. It has taken quite a bit of time to get here and now we are getting close to the end.

Here we use ideas about locomotor patterns from the animals we have become familiar with.  Starting from our examples with the most biological distance from us, the deer. We have already learned a bit about the differences in the toes, metatarsals, tiba, femur and hip. This was telling, in that, we have found humans to be unique and at one end of the with deer at the other. Also, that dogs are in the middle.

In this section we move from that finding into discovering new information regarding the skeletal changes amongst species to isolate the non -human apes and humans. For that we will assess the spine shapes, the centermass (weight distribution), the tails, and the metatarsals.

The spine shape goes through flat to curve and then to S- curve.

The centermass shifts from more forwards, to centered, to vertical axis.

The tails become shorter and then are internalized.

The metatarsals are longer in proportion to the tibia for species which are the most biologically distant from us.

All in all the fossil record is also very telling in that it shows that deer are found as older, dogs a bit newer, baboons even newer, much newer but also older than gorillas, gorillas and chimpanzees are chimpanzees near to us. This is what is known as a correlation, in that the observed evidence matches the fossils record.

The values can also be added to a graph which may show connections, divergence, and trends. Although the arbitrary assessments may be cursory they can be used to help make predictions. The predictions can aid in a direction of inquiry such as future experimental design to pursue a lead or quickly and simply rule out an assumption.

Grade scale x/41 x 20 = score

For this section you will need a measurement device, a ruler, tape measure etc.  You will be able to measure on screen. The measurements for labs are often slightly different among users but significantly different.

First we find the length of B + C to get the whole segment BC.

Metric B = 62mm

Imperial system B= 4 ⅝ inches

Then we measure segment B.

Metric B = 43mm

Imperial system B= 3 ⅛ inches

Metric method:

B/B+C = %; 43/62=

43/62 = .6935 or rounded to .70 x 100% = 70 %

It is simpler to   assume that if the first answer is 70% of 100% then the other, Segment C,  will be 30% of 100%. This saves you a step. 

Imperial system

B/B+C = %; 3 ⅛ ÷ 4 ⅝=

25/8 ÷ 37/8 = 25/8 x 8/37= 25/37 = .6765 or rounded to .68 x 100% = 68%

It is simpler to  assume that if the first answer is 68% of 100%...then the other, Segment C,  will be 32% of 100%. This saves you a step.

In the end the differences between 32% and 30 % are quite small for what we are trying to accomplish. Therefore, either answer is close enough.

It will not matter what your screen numbers are in relation to other students because if you measure the screen as seen and unchanged between measurements  it will be proportional and the percentages will be the same.

For a more stable measurement, you could print the picture.

IMG. anthbio.mckendricksj.(A)spineshape.(B+C)centermass.(D) tail. (E) metatarsals.

12.2. Bipedalism. On the drawing for anthbio.mckendricksj.(A)spineshape.(B+C)centermass.(D) tail. (E) metatarsals above;

Here we are finding the details regarding factors A,B, C, D, and E. There are 6 species for your assessments and all the details required are in the images. The goal is for you to recreate the information which is listed for series 1, the deer, on species 2 thru 6. Take some time to see the details in blue.

Observe the normal standing postures and note the following for each species 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6:

A: spine shape

B: fore/upper body position to center (%)

C: hind/lower body position to center (%)

D: Tail;

 E: metatarsals

1. List all the species which have an arched spine type. Answer by selecting the answer which fits (delete the wrong answers). (2 pts)

●        Deer

●        Dog

●        Baboon

●        Orangutan

●        Gorilla

●        Human

1. List all the species which have a forebody/upper percentage greater than 60%. Answer by selecting the answer which fits (delete the wrong answers). (2 pts)

●        Deer

●        Dog

●        Baboon

●        Orangutan

●        Gorilla

●        Human 

1. List all the species which have a rearbody/lower percentage less than 40%. Answer by selecting the answer which fits (delete the wrong answers).(2 pts)

●        Deer

●        Dog

●        Baboon

●        Orangutan

●        Gorilla

●        Human 

10.  List all the species which have an external tail. Answer by selecting the answer which fits (delete the wrong answers).(2 pts)

●        Deer

●        Dog

●        Baboon

●        Orangutan

●        Gorilla

●        Human

11.  List all the species which have metatarsals off the ground. Answer by selecting the answer which fits (delete the wrong answers). (2 pts)

●        Deer

●        Dog

●        Baboon

●        Orangutan

●        Gorilla

●        Human

12.  Which species are grouped by having some sort of arched spine? Answer by selecting the answer which fits (delete the wrong answers). (2 pts)

●        Deer

●        Dog

●        Baboon

●        Orangutan

●        Gorilla

●        Human

13.   Which species are grouped by having a forebody and rear body ratio near to 50%? Answer by selecting the answer which fits (delete the wrong answers). (2 pts)

●        Deer

●        Dog

●        Baboon

●        Orangutan

●        Gorilla

●        Human

14.  Which species are grouped by having no tail? Answer by selecting the answer which fits (delete the wrong answers).(2 pts)

●        Deer

●        Dog

●        Baboon

●        Orangutan

●        Gorilla

●        Human

15.  According to your data, which 2 animals are closest to deer based on these characteristics, that is, the most shared ones?  Answer by selecting the answer which fits (delete the wrong answers). (5 pts)

●        Deer

●        Dog

●        Baboon

●        Orangutan

●        Gorilla

●        Human

16.  According to your data, which 2 animals are closest to humans based on these characteristics, that is, the most shared ones?  Answer by selecting the answer which fits (delete the wrong answers). (5 pts)

●        Deer

●        Dog

●        Baboon

●        Orangutan

●        Gorilla

●        Human

anthbio/phys.mckendricksj.centermass.species1.moredetails

Appendix A