Brain Evolution in the Human Species

Brain Evolution in the Human Species Introduction Hominid evolution is marked by a very significant increase in relative brain size. Because relative brain size has been linked to energetic requirements, it is possible to look at the pattern of encephalization as a factor in the evolution of human foraging and dieting (Foley et al., 1991). Major expansion of the brain is associated with the Homo species rather than the Hominidae as a whole, where the energetic costs are likely to have forced prolongation of growth rates and secondary altriciality (Foley et al., 1991). Paleontological evidence indicates that rapid brain evolution occurred with the emergence of Homo erectus 1.8 million years ago and was associated with important changes in diet, body size, and foraging behavior (Leonard et al., 2007). Energy Requirements Extensive energy is required for brain growth and functioning. Parker (1990) analyzes intelligence and encephalization from the perspective of life history strategy theory, which is based on the premise that evolutionary selection determines the timing of major life cycle events-especially those related to reproduction-as the solution to energy optimization problems. Foley and Lee (1991) analyze the evolutionary pattern of encephalization with respect to foraging and dieting strategies. In considering the development of human foraging strategies, increased returns for foraging effort and food processing may be an important prerequisite for encephalization, and in turn a large brain is necessary to organize human foraging behavior. Dietary quality is also correlated with brain size. Foley and Lee (1991) first consider brain size vs. primate feeding strategies, and note that folivorous diets (leaves) are correlated with smaller brains, while fruit and animal foods (insects, meat) are correlated with larger brains. Overall, the genetic costs of brain maintenance for modern humans are about three times that of a chimpanzee. The first dietary shift is seen beginning within the genus Hom o, which began to include meat in the diet. It may be argued that meat-eating represents an expansion of resource breadth beyond that found in non-human primates (Foley and Lee, 1991). Therefore, Homo and its encephalization may have been the product of the selection of capable of exploiting energy- and protein-rich resources as the habitat expanded. While the evolutionary causes of the enlarging human brain themselves are thought to have been due to factors that go beyond diet alone (increasing social organization being prime among the proposed factors usually cited), a diet of sufficient quality would nevertheless have been an important prerequisite. That is, diet would have been an important hurdle, or limiting factor, to overcome in providing the necessary physiological basis for brain enlargement to occur within the context of whatever those other primary selective pressures might have been. Leonard and Robinson (1994: add page numbers for direct quote) conclude: These results imply that changes in diet quality during hominid evolution were linked with the evolution of brain size. The shift to a more calorically dense diet was probably needed in order to substantially increase the amount of metabolic energy being used by the hominid brain. Thus, while nutritional factors alone are not sufficient to explain the evolution of our large brains, it seems clear that certain dietary changes were necessary for substantial brain evolution to take place.

Never let me go Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Never let me go - Assignment Example The story uses both reality and fiction to portray the four major themes which are love, life, care and death. ‘Never let me go’ is a title that suits the novel as the story rotates around love, care and death which are themes related to the idea of refusing to lose something go as a result of cherish or importance. The title is drawn from a cassette tape with the label ‘Songs After Dark’ sang by Judy Bridgewater (Kazuo, 59). Kathy had the cassette while in Hailsham which got lost while still in the school. However Tommy and Ruth come to find another cassette with the same songs ten years later while on their way to Norfolk and decide to take it to Kathy. This can be seen in a statement by Tommy, The album’s called Songs After Dark and it’s by Judy Bridge-water. Whatever I’ve got today isn’t the actual cassette but close to the one in Hailsham† (Kazuo, 59). This indicates that no matter where Kathy goes, the song follows her reminding her of her purpose in life. The story begins in Hailsham at a fiction boarding in England. This is the place where the clones are raised and taught the basic skills I life before moving to the outside world just like the way ordinary people go to school before graduating and joining the independent stage commonly referred to as adulthood. Tommy, Ruth and Kathy develop a relationship based on friendship. They finally leave the facility and get into their normal independent lives. After ten years, they meet again and continue staying close to each other. The memories of Hailsham cold not let go of Tommy as he kept telling Kathy of the life they had back in the boarding facility. This is evident in the statement made by Tommy to Kathy â€Å"You know, Kath, when I used to play football back at Hailsham. I had this secret thing I did. When I scored a goal, Id turn round like this†Ã¢â‚¬â€œhe raised both arms up in triumph–â€Å"and Id run back to my mates. The memories I value most, I dont see them ever

Marketing strategy of Kempinski (NOT a singel hotel but the global Research Proposal

Marketing strategy of Kempinski (NOT a singel hotel but the global brand) - Research Proposal Example The wine trade business of Kempinski has been quite active from 1862 (Kempinski, 2014a). However, after a short stagnation period, the company again flourished in Berlin. In the year 1872, the hotel chain was extended to Berlin. Then again, during World War II, the hotel at Berlin was completely destroyed. In 1994, Kempinski was taken over by Dusit Sindhorn by acquiring 52 percent stake of the hotel chain. This joint venture between Dusit and Siam Bank came to an end, when Dusit sold off the hotel chain to the latter (Kempinski, 2014a). This hotel chain is known for its deep-rooted traditions. Being one of the oldest chains of hotels in Europe, Kempinski provides a unique offering of cultural heritage and traditional architecture. As already mentioned, the hotel group has 75 hotels spread across 30 countries (Kempinski, 2014a). Nonetheless, the company is continuously expanding its base by adding new hotels in Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa. The offerings include a portfolio of city hotels, historic hotels, residences and resorts. Few of the hotel brands that are famous worldwide are Berlin’s Adlon Kempinski hotel, Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace, Dresden’s Taschenbergpalais Kempinski hotel and Instanbul’s Çiragan Palace. The owners of Kempinski are also associated with establishing a global alliance of hotels that is active worldwide (Kempinski, 2014b). Kempinski caters to a wide range of customers in the premium and luxury segment. The hotel group’s target customers include wealthy and high profile individuals travelling for leisure, vacation or business. The hotels also cater to various incentive groups and business conferences. The hotels offer unique locations for meetings and seminars. The hotels support various restaurants, bars, spas and clubs; many of these are open to outsiders too. Thus, the hotels also offer services to outside customers. Market segmentation for Kempinski can be done according to specialty of its hotels.