How old is the fossil skeleton known as Ardi, and which species does it belong to?

It is about 4.4 million years old and belongs to Ardipithecus ramidus.

What does the shape of Ardi's feet suggest about how she moved?

Her big toe was long and stuck out sideways, like a grasping thumb, which suggests she spent much of her time climbing in trees.

State the approximate brain volume of Ardi.

About 300–350 cm³, similar to a modern chimpanzee.

How old is the fossil skeleton known as Lucy, and which species does it belong to?

It is about 3.2 million years old and belongs to Australopithecus afarensis.

Give two features of Lucy's skeleton showing she walked upright more effectively than Ardi.

Her feet were arched with the big toe in line with the others, and her leg and hip bones were shaped much more like a human's.

State the approximate brain volume of Lucy.

About 400 cm³, only a little larger than the 300–350 cm³ of the older fossil Ardi.

Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Biology 1SC0

Key Concepts in Biology

Topic overview Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells Specialised cells and their adaptations Microscopes and magnification calculations Size, scale and units in cell biology Enzyme action and denaturation Factors affecting enzyme activity Enzymes in synthesis and digestion, and rate calculations Diffusion, osmosis and active transport Osmosis in potatoes and percentage change in mass

Cells and Control

Topic overview Mitosis and the cell cycle Why mitosis matters: growth, repair and cancer Growth, differentiation and percentile charts Stem cells and their use in medicine Neurones, receptors and the reflex arc

Genetics

Topic overview Meiosis and the formation of gametes DNA structure, genes and the genome Extracting DNA from fruit Alleles, genotype and phenotype Monohybrid crosses and sex determination Probability and ratios from genetic crosses Causes of variation: genes and environment The Human Genome Project Genetic variation and the effects of mutation

Natural Selection and Genetic Modification

Topic overview Natural selection and antibiotic resistance Fossil evidence for human evolution Stone tool evidence for human evolution Five kingdoms and the three domains Selective breeding Genetic engineering and modern agriculture The stages of genetic engineering

Health, Disease and the Development of Medicines

Topic overview Health, disease and susceptibility Pathogens and common infections How pathogens spread, and the virus life cycle Sexually transmitted infections Physical barriers and chemical defences The immune system, immunisation and herd immunity Antibiotics and developing new medicines Lifestyle factors and non-communicable disease Treatments for cardiovascular disease

Plant Structures and Their Functions

Topic overview Photosynthesis as an endothermic reaction Limiting factors in photosynthesis Light intensity and the rate of photosynthesis Root hair cells, xylem and phloem Transpiration and translocation Factors affecting the rate of transpiration

Animal Coordination, Control and Homeostasis

Topic overview Hormones, endocrine glands and homeostasis Adrenalin, thyroxine and negative feedback The menstrual cycle and its hormones Hormonal and barrier contraception Assisted reproductive technology and IVF Controlling blood glucose, and type 1 diabetes Type 2 diabetes and body mass

Exchange and Transport in Animals

Topic overview Why multicellular organisms need exchange surfaces Alveoli and gas exchange The blood and its components Arteries, veins and capillaries The heart and the circulatory system Cellular respiration as an exothermic reaction Aerobic and anaerobic respiration compared Investigating the rate of respiration Cardiac output, stroke volume and heart rate

Ecosystems and Material Cycles

Topic overview Levels of organisation and interdependence Abiotic and biotic factors in a community Parasitism and mutualism Sampling with quadrats and transects Estimating population size from field data Human impact on ecosystems and biodiversity The carbon cycle The water and nitrogen cycles

Natural Selection and Genetic Modification

Fossil evidence for human evolution

3 things to know
Paper 1

Overview

The Ardi, Lucy and Turkana Boy fossils, their ages, species and brain volumes, what their feet, legs and skeletons show about climbing and walking upright, calculating the time between fossils, and the trend in human evolution they reveal.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Whose team discovered the fossil skeleton known as Turkana Boy, and where was it found?

Numbers

Calculate the length of time between the individual known as Ardi and the individual known as Turkana Boy.

Key term

Describe the trend in human ancestors shown by the Ardi, Lucy and Turkana Boy fossils.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
How old is the fossil skeleton known as Ardi, and which species does it belong to?
Model answer
It is about 4.4 million years old and belongs to Ardipithecus ramidus.
2
What does the shape of Ardi's feet suggest about how she moved?
Model answer
Her big toe was long and stuck out sideways, like a grasping thumb, which suggests she spent much of her time climbing in trees.
3
State the approximate brain volume of Ardi.
Model answer
About 300–350 cm³, similar to a modern chimpanzee.
4
How old is the fossil skeleton known as Lucy, and which species does it belong to?
Model answer
It is about 3.2 million years old and belongs to Australopithecus afarensis.
5
Give two features of Lucy's skeleton showing she walked upright more effectively than Ardi.
Model answer
Her feet were arched with the big toe in line with the others, and her leg and hip bones were shaped much more like a human's.
6
State the approximate brain volume of Lucy.
Model answer
About 400 cm³, only a little larger than the 300–350 cm³ of the older fossil Ardi.

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Key Concepts in Biology

Cells and Control

Genetics

Natural Selection and Genetic Modification

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ANitrates cause an algal bloom that blocks the light.

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