5.3 Hominid Evolution

Forensic anthropologists can determine a great deal of information from the fossils that they extract from sites where they dig up specimens. Scientists can compare ancient hominid fossils to modern ones and the current structures found in living hominids.

What statement best describes the evolution of hominids over time?

• Modern humans evolved directly from modern apes.
• Hominids evolved from ape-like ancestors to modern humans, showing significant changes in anatomy and behavior.
• Hominids have remained unchanged since their origin.
• Hominids are unrelated to any other primate species.

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At the same sites that are mentioned in Question #1, scientists can also collect evidence about the body structure of hominids and also how they lived. Which trend in hominid evolution can be supported by fossil evidence?

• Decreasing reliance on tools in hominids.
• Reduction in social behaviors among hominids.
• Stagnation of physical adaptations in hominids.
• Increasing brain size and complexity in hominids.

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Evidence collected by scientists from unearthed fossils can support the development of sound theories. Which set of characteristics is attributed to the most modern group of hominids?

• bipedal, large brain, small jaw

• tree dwellers, large brain, small jaw

• bipedal, small brain, large lower jaw

• tree dwellers, small brain, large jaw

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How is the scientific theory of evolution supported by the comparison of the skulls and skeletons of modern humans and extinct hominids?

• The skulls of modern humans and extinct hominids show no similarities, indicating separate origins.
• The scientific theory of evolution is supported by the physical similarities and differences observed in the skulls and skeletons of modern humans and extinct hominids, indicating a shared common ancestor and evolutionary changes.

• Evolution is proven by the identical skull structure of all hominids, showing no change over time.
• The comparison of skulls reveals that modern humans are unrelated to any extinct species.

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Paleontologists have compared modern human skeletons to fossils of hominids from two to five million years ago, before the appearance of modern humans.

They found certain features, like the shape of their hips and the way the spine supported the body, was similar to the modern human skeletal structure.

Which of the following best describes why the discoveries of the hominid fossils are important for understanding modern human evolution?

• They are important for understanding how modern human pelvic bones are necessary for upright walking.

• They are evidence of transitional species that show how modern humans are identical to their ape- like ancestors.

• They provide evidence that modern humans and chimpanzees are not related by a common ancestor.

• They show that modern humans have no connection to ancient hominids.

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Based on the illustration, what do the similarities between human and chimpanzee hands and feet suggest about the two different organisms?

• Humans and chimpanzees share a common ancestor.
• The similarities are purely coincidental.
• Humans and chimpanzees evolved independently.
• Chimpanzees are a type of human.

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Which Lobe?

• Frontal
• Parietal
• Temporal 
• Occipital

What is this?

• Cerebrum
• Cerebellum
• Brain Stem
• Diencephalon

This lobe regulates memory creation and memory storage.

• Occipital Lobe
• Parietal Lobe
• Temporal Lobe
• Frontal Lobe

This lobe receives and processes pain, pressure and touch from the body to create a map of the body's position in space and a map of body parts in relation to other body parts.

• Occipital Lobe
• Parietal Lobe
• Temporal Lobe
• Frontal Lobe