Flashcards
Adaptations for Bipedalism
Cards in this deck (10)
- 1Adaptations for Bipedalism8 Adaptations essential to know
- 2Foramen MagnumIt is moved from the back to the centre of the skull to allow the skull to balance on top of the spine. Thus, less energy expenditure is required by the neck muscles to keep the skull upright.
- 3Occipital CondyleIt is moved from the back to the centre of the skull to keep the head above the centre of gravity
- 4Rib CageIs flattened from the front to back which moves the centre of gravity closer to the spine. This improves balance.
- 5Spine ShapeChanged from C to S shape. This allows the weight of the chest to sit above the pelvis, rather than further forward. This improves both balance and absorbs the shock of walking.
- 6Pelvis ShapeHas become more bowl shaped - broad and short. This results in improved balance, support of the upper body and enlarges the valgus angle. The bowl shaped pelvis also increases the surface area for the attachment of large buttock muscles (gluteus maximus).
- 7Femur length and shapeFemur is longer and angled inwards from the hip so that the knees nearly touch (increased valgus angle). This assists the upper body to be positioned above the centre of gravity for walking. Overall the legs are longer than the arms in humans.
- 8Knee JointThe bottom of the femur (the knee join) has a buttress of bone called the lateral condyle. This stops the sideways deflection of thigh muscles during walking.
- 9Shape of the foot (One way)It has changed in two ways:
a) Has changed to become a platform. The toes are short, with the big toe beside the others and forward thrusting (non-opposable). The foot has lost all grasping ability. - 10Shape of the foot (second way)b) The weight is now placed on the outer edge with the inner side elevated into an arch. This provides a shock absorber effect and a spring that facilitates long distance travelling.
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- Description
- The 8 adaptations that have aided Bipedalism through change
- Created by
- Vincent Kim
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