Hominid Evolution

The scientific theory of evolution is supported by different types of evidence. The diagrams below show the skeletons of two different animal species. How does comparing the skeletons of these animals provide support for the scientific theory of evolution?

• It provides information about the organisms' habitats.

• It shows possible common ancestry between organisms.

• It provides information to determine the organisms' ages.

• It shows possible chromosomal similarities between organisms.

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The diagram illustrates an embryonic stage of two organisms. Which of the following can be determined by observing the embryos shown in the diagram? 

• The organisms share a common ancestry.

• The organisms belong to the same genus.

• The organisms are native to the same geographic areas.

• The organisms will grow into anatomically similar adults.

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Match the following

• Bipedalism

• A form of locomotion that involves walking on 2 legs

• Hominid

• All species in the human lineage, both modern and extinct

• Foramen magnum

• Scientific name for the human race (hint: what you are)

• Cranium

• Specific part of the skull that covers the brain only

• Homo sapien

• Spot where the spine of an animal connects to their brain

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

According to the fossil record displayed, what can be concluded about the jaw size and brain size of hominids as they evolve?

• The jaw size increased while the brain size

  decreased

• Both the jaw and brain increased in size

• Both the jaw and brain decreased in size

• The jaw size decreased while the brain size

  increased

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Species in the family that includes humans, but not great apes are called hominids. The first hominids appeared between 6 and 7 million years ago. Since then, several species of hominids have evolved. As the brain size of hominids increased, which of the following also occurred?

• The teeth became larger.

• The pelvis became narrower.

• The jaws became larger.

• The browridges became smaller.

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As hominids have evolved, their appearance, anatomy, and behavior have changed. Which of the following is a trend in hominid evolution?

• increase in the size of teeth

• increase in cranial capacity

• increase in the size of the size of the brow ridge

• increase in the size of the jaw

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Humans belong to the hominid group, most of which are now extinct. One of the earliest hominids was Australopithecus afarensis. The bones of this species suggest that it walked upright on two legs (bipedalism) and had a brain about the size of a modern chimpanzee. What inference can be made from this observation?

• Bipedalism evolved before hominid cranial capacity increased

• The ability to make tools evolved along with bipedalism

• Australopithecus afarensis had a large brain and made tools

• Australopithecus afarensis was about as tall as later hominids

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Scientists have found evidence that about 2.4 million years ago a gene regulating jaw muscles mutated and may have led to the more graceful human jaw we see today. The diagram below shows the skulls of 3 hominid species.

• The jaws of hominids evolved to be smaller and less protruding over time. 

• The jaws of hominids evolved to be larger and more protruding over time. 

• There appears to be no change in the jaws of hominids over time.

• The jaws of hominids changed over time due to a change in brain size. 

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Modern humans are classified as hominids. Several other hominid species evolved and died out in the past. Which of the following occurred last in hominid evolution?

• the development of the ability to walk upright

• an increase in the size of the brain

• the development of spoken language

• a decrease in the size of the jaw and teeth

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