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Let us start answer writing for Mains 2016. We can decide on a chapter or topic each day and then come up with possible questions along with the answers. This will help all of us in fixing our shortcomings. Along with the answers and important points, we can also share the diagrams that we make, so that we do not miss the important things. Let's buckle up for 2016.
(UPSC Mains) Questions on Primates in the last 5 years
- Man is a Primate. Discuss. - Compare and contrast the skulls of Gorilla and Man. - Role of Primatology in Anthropological studies. - Is culture unique to human beings? Critically examine. - Elucidate the skeletal differences between Humans and Chimpanzees.
Primates are the organisms biologically classified under mammals and constitute an order of their own with a history of 65 million years of existence. There was a lot of controversy on the theory of evolution and placing together of Humans with apes and monkeys in the scheme of Taxonomy which makes use of shared characteristics. Historically, it has been difficult for people to accept that we are in fact just another primate species with African origins and we have erected the so called "golden barriers" between us and the rest of the Animal kingdom.
Some of the features shared by both Humans and Primates include :
- Generalized structure of the limbs with a pentadactyle plan. - Cranium tends to be high and vaulted. - Enlarged, responsive cerebral cortex which provides basis for flexible behaviour reducing role of reflexes. - Heterodont dentition i.e. specialized, different types of teeth canines, molars for cutting, grinding etc. - Opposable thumb which can be held opposite to the fingers. - Prehensile hands and feet for grasping. - Fingernails as well as sensitive tactile pads on each digit. - Binocular Stereoscopic colour vision resulting in depth perception - Flattened face with reduced muzzle. - Slower rate of development, mature later, but have longer lifespan than other mammals.
Features more or less uniquely found in Homo Sapiens are:
- True bipedal mode of locomotion with erect posture. - Non-opposable great toe. - Legs are much longer than the arms. - Density of hair is reduced except scalp. - Hands capable of both power and precision grip capable of producing finely detailed objects. - Foramen magnum located at the base of skull hence it is situated at top of vertebral column. - Prominent nose and presence of chin. - Use of complex tools. - Use of language for advanced communication - the evolution of FOXP2 gene. - Complex social structure and relations far greater than any other primate species.
Au contraire, some human-like behaviour has been observed in certain primates especially among great apes with whom we share up to 97% of our DNA. Examples include :
- Indicating disapproval by shaking of head. - Begging for and sharing of food. - Facial expressions and tickling-induced laughter. - Recognizing faces in a crowd within the group of a species. - Changes in food-habits in times of stress. - Simple tool making, up to 20 tools have been recorded which are used for functions ranging from subsistence to sociability. - Under captivity, chimps have been taught American sign language.
After examining the above facts one can conclude that man is a primate and hence aptly placed in the primate order. Moreover, blood protein similarity analysis and more recently molecular genetics have confirmed that the Humans and other primates shared a common ancestor at some point of time effectively establishing the link between the two. Physical differences are largely differences of 'degree' rather than 'kind' but the degree does play an important role and because of this small difference which ultimately led to our cultural evolution, today, we are the only primate to inhabit the entire globe.
Compare and contrast the skulls of Gorilla and Man.
I am uploading the differences in diagram form. Forgive me for the childish diagrams, they're straight out of my notes I couldn't find more similarities, except that both have similar bones although of different shapes and proportions.
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Comments
Let's decide on a chapter/topic for tomorrow
Genetics part or evolution/primates part?
Paper 1, part 1.5
Tomorrow let's put up possible questions, answers and diagrams
- Man is a Primate. Discuss.
- Compare and contrast the skulls of Gorilla and Man.
- Role of Primatology in Anthropological studies.
- Is culture unique to human beings? Critically examine.
- Elucidate the skeletal differences between Humans and Chimpanzees.
Primates are the organisms biologically classified under mammals and constitute an order of their own with a history of 65 million years of existence. There was a lot of controversy on the theory of evolution and placing together of Humans with apes and monkeys in the scheme of Taxonomy which makes use of shared characteristics. Historically, it has been difficult for people to accept that we are in fact just another primate species with African origins and we have erected the so called "golden barriers" between us and the rest of the Animal kingdom.
Some of the features shared by both Humans and Primates include :
- Generalized structure of the limbs with a pentadactyle plan.
- Cranium tends to be high and vaulted.
- Enlarged, responsive cerebral cortex which provides basis for flexible behaviour reducing role of reflexes.
- Heterodont dentition i.e. specialized, different types of teeth canines, molars for cutting, grinding etc.
- Opposable thumb which can be held opposite to the fingers.
- Prehensile hands and feet for grasping.
- Fingernails as well as sensitive tactile pads on each digit.
- Binocular Stereoscopic colour vision resulting in depth perception
- Flattened face with reduced muzzle.
- Slower rate of development, mature later, but have longer lifespan than other mammals.
Features more or less uniquely found in Homo Sapiens are:
- True bipedal mode of locomotion with erect posture.
- Non-opposable great toe.
- Legs are much longer than the arms.
- Density of hair is reduced except scalp.
- Hands capable of both power and precision grip capable of producing finely detailed objects.
- Foramen magnum located at the base of skull hence it is situated at top of vertebral column.
- Prominent nose and presence of chin.
- Use of complex tools.
- Use of language for advanced communication - the evolution of FOXP2 gene.
- Complex social structure and relations far greater than any other primate species.
Au contraire, some human-like behaviour has been observed in certain primates especially among great apes with whom we share up to 97% of our DNA. Examples include :
- Indicating disapproval by shaking of head.
- Begging for and sharing of food.
- Facial expressions and tickling-induced laughter.
- Recognizing faces in a crowd within the group of a species.
- Changes in food-habits in times of stress.
- Simple tool making, up to 20 tools have been recorded which are used for functions ranging from subsistence to sociability.
- Under captivity, chimps have been taught American sign language.
After examining the above facts one can conclude that man is a primate and hence aptly placed in the primate order. Moreover, blood protein similarity analysis and more recently molecular genetics have confirmed that the Humans and other primates shared a common ancestor at some point of time effectively establishing the link between the two. Physical differences are largely differences of 'degree' rather than 'kind' but the degree does play an important role and because of this small difference which ultimately led to our cultural evolution, today, we are the only primate to inhabit the entire globe.
I am uploading the differences in diagram form. Forgive me for the childish diagrams, they're straight out of my notes
I couldn't find more similarities, except that both have similar bones although of different shapes and proportions.
I'll write more answers at night.
I'll do it later