Lucy & Evolution
Chimps & Humans
Science Skills
Brain Basics
Brain Evidence
100

This word means walking on two feet.

Bipedal

100

Jane Goodall studied these primates at Gombe Stream Reserve.

Chimpanzees

100

A thumb that can move opposite the fingers is called this.

An opposable thumb

100

This part of the brain helps with balance and coordinated movement.

Cerebellum

100

Large optic lobes suggest an animal has a strong sense of this.

Sight / vision

200

Lucy lived about this many million years ago. 

Hint: #.# million years ago

3.2 million years ago

200

Goodall observed chimps caring for and nursing their young. This behavior is called this.

Parental care

200

In the padlock investigation, the variable the scientist changed was this type of variable.

Independent variable

200

The largest part of the brain, which controls voluntary thought and actions, is the _____.

Cerebrum

200

Large olfactory bulbs suggest an animal relies heavily on this sense.

Smell

300

Lucy’s pelvis and knee bones gave evidence that she could do this.

Walk upright / walk on two feet

300

Humans and chimpanzees share many traits because of this evolutionary relationship.

They share a common ancestor

300

In the padlock investigation, the time it took to open the lock was this type of variable.

Dependent variable

300

This structure connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic functions.

Brain stem

300

A sheep brain is most similar to the brain of this type of animal.

A mammal

400

The shared extinct species from which hominids and chimpanzees descended is called this.

A common ancestor

400

Goodall observed chimps showing movements, interactions, gestures, and grunts. These are scientific _____.  

Observations

400

“What effect will jumping jacks have on a person’s pulse?” is a good example of this.

A testable question

400

Walking upstairs using skeletal muscles is this type of behavior.

Voluntary behavior

400

A cat has a well-developed cerebellum because it needs strong skills in this.

Coordination and balance

500

Scientists estimate that bipedalism evolved sometime between these two time periods.

7.3 and 3.2 million years ago

500

The fact that chimpanzees care for their young helps show they can have this.

Emotions / social behaviors

500

After using data to decide whether a prediction was supported, a scientist writes this.

A conclusion

500

Blinking is this type of behavior because the body controls it automatically.

Involuntary behavior

500

Phineas Gage’s brain injury showed that different regions of the brain have this.

Specialized functions / different jobs