ANTHROPOLOGY REFLECTION

1.

Hmm Moment: Of the content covered in class, what are you still perplexed
about and why?

My hmm moment of the content covered in class would have to be the theory of
apes traveling across the ocean on natural rafts. It is perplexing because science
only offers vague explanations behind primate migration. We know that it
happened because skeletal remains are found all over the world. When
considering this theory, I wonder how primates would have eaten while crossing
the Atlantic and how they would have survived weather conditions. I dont
disagree with the theory and I wonder if we will ever solve the mystery.

2.

AHA Moment: What specific AHA moment have you had in this course about
human evolution (broadly defined)?

My AHA moment regarding human evolution was during a film we viewed in class.
The film showed many characteristics that humans and primates share. Primates,
like humans, are constantly competing for resources in order to ensure they
survive. They adapt and pass along their genes to their offspring. Male primates
desire the alpha male position because alpha males reproduce the most. Alpha
males tend to be larger, more aggressive, and possess sexual dimorphic traits
that set them apart from other males.

3.

Because of your stellar performance in this class, you have been asked to
tutor another biological anthropology student. How would you explain to them
how biological anthropologists view the theory of human evolution? Your
explanation should include specific examples of evidence biological
anthropologists view as supporting the theory of human evolution.

Biological Anthropology is the study of human biology within the framework of

evolution with an emphasis on the interaction between biology and culture. It is
the branch that explains human variation and adaptation. Physical
anthropologists examine the physical form of humans and functions that allow
survival and reproduction. The Origin of Species written by Charles Darwin
introduced the idea of natural selection. According to Darwin, natural selection is
the gradual process by which heritable biological traits become either more or
less common in a population as a function of the effect of inherited traits on the
differential reproductive success of organisms interacting with their environment.
It is a key mechanism of evolution.
An example of evolution can be recognized is something as simple as goose
bumps. Humans get goose bumps when we are cold, frightened, angry, or in awe.
A large variety of creatures also have these phenomena. In responding to fear,
goose bumps make the hair stand up on the skin. For species with long hair this
reaction makes them appear larger and could potentially frighten a predator from
attacking. Now that humans are clothed we no longer need long hair to keep us
insolated. Natural selection removed our hair but left behind the mechanism for
controlling it.