Your+Inner+FIsh+HW1+MC

Marie Carpenter Human Biology August 18, 2008 Field Period 1

(1)	Describe at least three important PHYSICAL traits in humans that were found in fish first.

•	Two eyes were found in fish first for binocular vision. •	Two ears were found in fish first to localize sounds. •	Twinned nostrils were found in fish first so you can follow your nose to scents/smells.

(2)	Describe a SOCIAL trait in humans that was found in fish first.

•	You see fish helping each other with cooperation and ways of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit. (3)	What is an African cichlid and what behavior do they have that resembles social behavior in humans. Describe.

•	An African cichlid is a colorful freshwater fish from Lake Tanganyika. •	They behave in the way that humans do by helping each other defend territories, keeping things and places clean, and breeding.

(4)	Why is it interesting that female guppies may go through menopause?

•	It’s interesting that female guppies may go through menopause because it’s a finding that may bear on the evolution of menopause among women.

(5)	Which genes in humans shifted color during migration from one part of the world to another and also shift in color in fish?

•	Genes responsible for skin pigmentation shifted color during migration from one part of the world to another and also shift the color in fish.

(6)	What is the significance to human biology that fish are the oldest group of Vertebrates?

•	They have had a long time to experiment with body plans and strategies. (7)	Competition and predation among fish species led to the evolution of two important physical traits found in humans. What are these two traits and how did competition and predation spur their evolution?

•	Jaws and teeth allowed smaller fish to eat bigger fish.

(8)	What is unusual about the Tiktaalik?

•	It was half fish and half-amphibian.

(9)	What bones in the "arm" of a Tiktaalik are also found in human arms?

•	Rudimentary shoulders and enough upper body muscles used to do push-ups are also found in human arms. (10)	Explain why a hiccup be a relic of our fish ancestors?

•	We use the same rudimentary shoulders and upper body strength when we hiccup.