589
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: − + − Some researchers claim "modern" humans have possibly been around for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>.+ + + + + + + + + + + +
Added sections on tool use and social organization
{{Taxonomy|name=Human|image=Billy_sunday.jpg|kingdom=Animalia|phylum=Chordata|subphylum=Vertebrate|class=Mammalia|order=Primate|family=Hominidae|genus=homo|species=sapiens}}
{{Taxonomy|name=Human|image=Billy_sunday.jpg|kingdom=Animalia|phylum=Chordata|subphylum=Vertebrate|class=Mammalia|order=Primate|family=Hominidae|genus=homo|species=sapiens}}
Humans, or human beings, are classified by biologists as '''''homo sapiens''''', from the [[Latin]] ''homo'' meaning "man", and ''sapiens'' meaning "wise",<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=Homo+sapiens&searchmode=term Online Etymology Dictionary]</ref>.
Humans, or human beings, are classified by biologists as '''''homo sapiens''''', from the [[Latin]] ''homo'' meaning "man", and ''sapiens'' meaning "wise",<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=Homo+sapiens&searchmode=term Online Etymology Dictionary]</ref>. The human brain is over twice the volume of a chimpanzee’s brain and differently organized, giving an improved language capacity. The evolution of the larynx gives a physiological capacity for speech. Brain development gives humans the power of abstract reasoning and a capacity for self-analysis. Consciousness is of unknown origin; speculations include being an emergent property of a complex brain and the mind existing independently of the body.
Humans are characterized by a highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language, and introspection. This mental capability, combined with a body suitable for standing erect such that their upper limbs are free to manipulating objects, allows humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species. Humans now inhabit every continent including [[Antarctica]], with a total population of over 6.5 billion as of 2007.
Humans are characterized by a highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language, and introspection. This mental capability, combined with a body suitable for standing erect such that their upper limbs are free to manipulating objects, allows humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species. Humans now inhabit every continent including [[Antarctica]], with a total population of over 6.5 billion as of 2007.
Humans have more hair follicles than chimpanzees, their nearest living relatives, but shorter finer hair in most body areas makes this hard to see. Hair and skin colour varies according to the amount of melanin, a pigment that helps protect skin from the sun. Originally an evolutionary adaptation to climate, pigment variation is now found globally.
Fossil evidence appears to show that "modern" humans have been around for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>.
==Tool use==
Because humans are bipeds with opposable thumbs, they can create tools more skilfully than other species. This has helped them to perceive themselves as the dominant species. Humans inhabit almost all areas of the planet, using technology to overcome inhospitable environments. They are the only species to deliberately control fire to cook food.
Human thirst for knowledge and tool-building capacity has led to many ways of investigating the universe. The scientific method is objective; subjective methods using tradition, creation, introspection and speculation include religion, philosophy, art and literature.
==Social organization==
Human self-expression has led to complex competitive and co-operative social groups. Some revolve around abstract symbols or arbitrary land divisions associated with group history, others around perceived genetic or philosophical differences. Humans may belong to several groups simultaneously. Competition for resources plus primate territoriality leads to wars, and the human capacity for tool-building to improved technology with which to fight them. The rise of globalization and information-sharing, especially about human effect on our shared planetary environment, holds a hope that as a predator species we will avoid rendering ourselves extinct, as we have done so many other species.
== Longevity ==
== Longevity ==