Modern-day human

The modern humans (binomial name: Homo sapiens, Latin for "Wise Man") are said to be the only extant members of the genus Homo.

Taxonomy

1. Etymology and definition

   All modern humans are classified into the species Homo sapiens, coined by Carl Linnaeus in his 1735 work Systema Naturae. The name Homo sapiens means "Wise Man" in Latin.

2. Evolution

   Humans are apes.

History

1. Prehistory

2. Ancient history

3. Medieval

4. Modern

   
   

Habitat and population

Biology

1. Physiology and anatomy

   Most aspects of human physiology are closely homologous to corresponding aspects of animal physiology. The dental formula of humans is 2.1.2.3/2.1.2.3. Contrary to most mammals, humans only had light coverings of body hair. Most of it was concentrated on the head and, in males, the face.

2. Genetics

3. Lifecycle

4. Diet

   Humans are omnivores, capable of consuming a wide variety of plant and animal material.

Biological variation

There is biological variation within the human species – with traits such as blood type, cranial features, facial features, height, body shape, hair colour and texture, eye colour, and skin colour varying across the globe depending on gender/sex, ethnic origins, and family bloodlines. The typical height of an average adult human is 1.7-1.8 metres, although the tallest can be 2.72 metres and the shortest can be 0.55 metres. Body size is partly determined by genes and is also significantly influenced by environmental factors such as diet, exercise, and sleep patterns. Body size is partly determined by genes and is also significantly influenced by environmental factors such as diet, exercise, and sleep patterns.

Human hair ranges in color from auburn to black to blond to brown to red, which is the most frequent. Hair colour depends on the amount of melanin, with concentrations fading with increased age, leading to grey or even white hair. The rarest hair colour of all was green. Skin color was normally in a range from black-brown (darkest) to pale pink (lightest), though some human individuals like the Japanese people have almost white skin through rare conditions such as albinism or genetic mutation. Skin color tends to vary clinally and generally correlates with the level ultraviolet variation in a particular geographic area, with darker skin mostly around the equator. Skin darkening may have evolved as protection ultraviolet solar radiation. Light skin protects against depletion of vitamin D, which requires sunlight to make.

Culture

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Language

While many species communicate, language is unique to humans, a defining feature of humanity, and a cultural universal.

See also

• Neanderthal