Table of Contents
What is it about a human backbone that allows humans to stand up straight?
Our spines have a characteristic double curve, which brings our head and torso into a vertical line above our feet. The surfaces of the joints in our legs and between our vertebrae are enlarged, which is an advantage for bearing weight.
Why do we stand upright?
According to this theory, the energy saved by walking upright gave our ancient ancestors an evolutionary advantage over other apes by reducing the costs of foraging for food. The idea is just one of many scientists have entertained as reasons for why humans walk on two legs.
What might have been one advantage of walking upright?
What might have been one advantage of walking completely upright? Humans could use their hands, see farther, and perhaps travel faster.
What was the evolutionary advantage of standing upright?
When did humans start walking upright?
From at least 6 to 3 million years ago, early humans combined apelike and humanlike ways of moving around. Fossil bones like the ones you see here record a gradual transition from climbing trees to walking upright on a regular basis. Sahelanthropus may have walked on two legs.
What modifications in the human skeleton allow us to walk upright?
What modifications in the human skeleton allow us to walk upright? Our spinal cord goes straight down from the center of the head, and our pelvis is short and squat. List the similarities and differences between human and chimpanzee skeletons.
What problems do humans experience as a result of their upright stance?
Back pain and other skeletal problems are relatively common in modern humans, an unfortunate side effect of walking upright. Distributing all our weight on just two limbs can have painful consequences, like lower back pain, slipped disks, arthritis in hips and knees, and collapsed foot arches.