Writing Prompt Three (Biological & Biomedical Sciences Essay)

Writing Prompt Three
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* Bipedal movement
Bipedal movement refers to locomotion, where an organism moves using two rear limbs or legs (Ko, 2015). Human beings are an excellent example of bipedal species. During the evolution of human beings, the bipedal movement came with several benefits. First, the bipedal movement helped the hominin ancestors easily carry tools and infants because they did not need the front limbs to move. It also enabled them to see over the tall grass and shrubs hence could detect any looming danger or resources; thus, they could reach food that is high in trees without a problem. The bipedal movement also aided in traveling long distances with ease.
Several theories explain this kind of movement. The possible reasons for the sudden change in walking behavior could be the need to free hands for use in other sectors like carrying things, climatic and habitat modification, and sexual dimorphism in food gathering. The theories that try to explain bipedal movement include the savannah base theory, the postural feeding hypotheses, the threat model, the thermoregulatory model, and the provisioning model (Ko, 2015).
The savannah base theory argues that early hominids had to adapt to the open savannah by walking erect after leaving trees. According to this theory, the bipedal movement was helpful in the savannah because the hominin ancestor could easily see over the tall grass, enhancing their hunting abilities and detecting predators.
Kevin Hunt at Indiana University proposed the postural feeding hypotheses (Ko, 2015). This model suggests that the bipedal locomotion developed into routine habits because they were suitable and comfortable for obtaining food and maintaining balance. For example, observations showed that chimpanzees were only bipedal when eating. In another instance, Australopithecus afarensis had shoulder and hand features that indicated a habit of hanging while their rear limbs and hips showed signs of bipedalism. Therefore, in this model, Hunt asserts that bipedalism developed more because of feeding habits and not walking posture.
The threat model suggests that bipedal locomotion emerged as a defensive mechanism for the early hominids. The hominids wanted to stay as visible as possible as a warning display and intimidate potential predators (Ko, 2015). A bipedal posture was necessary because it would scare away predators.
Peter Wheeler came up with the thermoregulatory model. This theory suggests that bipedalism increases the body surface area that assisted in dissipating heat, reducing the amount of heat gain. Wheeler says that the hominines accessed more wind and suitable temperatures when walking on two (Ko, 2015). Being above the ground also helped to cool the body of hominines, making them more comfortable.
Owen Lovejoy developed the provisioning model. The theory suggests that bipedalism is made comfortable for hominines to look for food for their families and take care of their infants. The males carried food while walking on two, whereas in females, bipedalism helped them take care of the infants without many problems. In males, this theory says that bipedalism was necessary because females only mated with provisioning males and males ...