The Golden Lion Tamarin
Weighing less than a kilogram, the golden lion tamarin lives in Brazil’s Atlantic forest. Once, this forest covered over 1 million km²,
but today only small patches remain, covering less than 10% of its original size.
Human destruction of the forest has disrupted the habitat of many species so much, that almost all of the endemic species,
including the golden lion tamarin, can now be considered endangered. The golden lion tamarin now has an area covering
less than 2% of its original habitat in which to survive. Twenty years ago less than 200 of these delightful animals were left in the wild,
but thankfully, conservation efforts have brought their number back to 1,000.
(WWF. 11 Nov. 2003)
Photo on right from CITES Photo Gallery

Unit 1: Humans as functioning organisms
1.2 THE PRIMATES

a) Primate features, adaptations and evolutionary trends as illustrated by a comparative study of humans and other present day primates
(with at least one example from each of prosimians, new world monkeys, old world monkeys, lesser apes and pongids;
formal classification names not required).
b) A comparative study of the social behaviour of the non-human primates, human social behaviour, communication.
c) Features characteristic of hominids: upright stance, uniquely intelligent brain and highly manipulative hands.

Unit 1: Humans as functioning organisms

General objectives
On completion of Unit 1, you should be able to:

• describe human biology as a multi-disciplinary study of humans at the levels of populations, individuals, systems, tissues and cells
• describe the general principles of biological classification and those features that characterise humans as mammals, primates and hominids
• recognise that an upright stance, uniquely intelligent brain and highly manipulative hands distinguish humans from other primates
• explain that human posture, object manipulation and locomotion involve the co-ordinated activity of muscular and skeletal systems
• describe the body’s requirements for nutrients and oxygen to supply energy and matter for activity, growth, repair and replacement
• explain how the digestive system facilitates the absorption of nutrient molecules
• explain how the respiratory system is adapted for efficient uptake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide
• describe how the circulatory system transports nutrients and oxygen to the cells, waste material and carbon dioxide from the cells,
  and acts as a link between all body tissues and major organ systems
• describe the beneficial effects of exercise on the musculo-skeletal, respiratory and circulatory systems
• describe the major cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and explain the factors which increase their risk of occurrence
• accurately measure time, length, mass, volume, temperature and pulse rate
• use food composition tables to analyse a diet and demonstrate competence in conducting chemical tests on foods
• demonstrate an awareness of basic first aid skills associated with bone fractures, haemorrhage and resuscitation
• demonstrate a positive attitude towards adopting a health sustaining lifestyle.

Unit 1 is broken up into the following units. The content covered in each of these topics is listed below.
The points in normal type can be expected to be covered in tests.
The points typed in italics at the end of each topic are not always covered and if they are, they are assessed in work other than tests.

1.1 Posture and Movement
1.2 The Primates
1.3 Gas Exchange
1.4 Nutrient Procurement
1.5 Internal Transport
1.6 Exercise and Cardiovascular Diseases