Humans, or Homo sapiens, are the only extant members of the subtribe Hominina and are characterized by their bipedal locomotion, complex brain structure, and advanced tool-making abilities. They are part of the primate family and are considered to be the most intelligent and advanced species on Earth.
Physical Characteristics
Bipedal Locomotion: Humans walk upright on two legs, a key characteristic that distinguishes them from other primates.
Brain Structure: The human brain is highly developed and allows for complex cognition, problem-solving, and language abilities.
Tool-Making Abilities: Humans have the ability to create and use tools, which has been essential to their survival and development as a species.
Diverse Physical Features: Humans exhibit a wide range of physical traits, including different skincolors, hair textures, and facial features, influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
Humans have various biological systems that work together to maintain homeostasis and ensure survival. These systems include the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous, and endocrine systems, among others. Each system performs specific functions that are essential for the overall health and functioning of the human body.
Humans are social beings and often form complex societies with intricate cultural, political, and economic structures. They exhibit a wide range of behaviors, emotions, and communication methods, including spoken and written language, gestures, and facial expressions.
Study Guide
What are the key characteristics that distinguish humans from other primates?
Explain the importance of bipedal locomotion in human evolution.
Discuss the role of the human brain in cognitive development and problem-solving abilities.
Describe the diversity of physical features observed in the human population.
Discuss the significance of social behavior and cultural development in human societies.
By studying these topics, you will gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics, biology, and behavior of humans, as well as their role in society and the natural world.
Use evidence to explain how different geologic processes shape Earth’s history over widely varying scales of space and time (e.g., chemical and physical erosion; tectonic plate processes; volcanic eruptions; meteor impacts; regional geographical features, including Alabama fault lines, Rickwood Caverns, and Wetumpka Impact Crater).
Provide evidence from data of the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to explain past plate motions.
Use models to explain how the flow of Earth’s internal energy drives a cycling of matter between Earth’s surface and deep interior causing plate movements (e.g., mid-ocean ridges, ocean trenches, volcanoes, earthquakes, mountains, rift valleys, volcanic islands).