ANT E101 Chapter 8: ANT E101 Chapter : Ant E 101 - Evolution of the human life cycle
Document Summary
Compared to other mammals of smaller size, primates develop slowly and invest heavily in offspring. Low reproductive rates (ie they reproduce infrequently) Long developmental periods and late ages at maturity. Dependent on mother for nutrition and protection (lactation) Ends with weaning and eruption of first permanent tooth. Begins at eruption of last permanent tooth. Occurs after weaning, when children are still dependent on others for food. Period of learning technical and social skills, language. Ends with the attainment of adult brain size. Begins with the onset of sexual maturity. Allows for an extended period of social learning and continued brain maturation. Support energetic costs and provide important substrates for brain development. Buffer against the costs of nutritional disruption and infection following weaning. Human kinds are still nutritionally dependent at weaning. Humans wean their infants earlier than expected for their body size. Unlike other great apes, humans continue to rely on supplemental nutritional support from others after weaning (provisioning)
