What are the three main differences between chimpanzee and human anatomy that affect locomotion, as shown in the video?
Name two additional anatomical differences between humans and chimpanzees that affect our means of walking.
What physical drawbacks have we inherited with this bipedal adaptation?
Now think like an engineer! In your opinion, are we perfectly adapted to walking upright? If not, what structural improvements can you suggest? (Think about features such as height, posture, and bone density.)
When in human history did adolescence evolve as a developmental stage?
Did members of the species Homo erectus go through a prolonged growth period to reach adulthood? How about Neandertals?
How does this maturation period provide an evolutionary advantage?
Why might it be easier to determine growth rates in more recent ancestors (such as early H. sapiens or H. antecessor) than in those from long ago (H. habilis and H. erectus)?
