Question

day 2: tuesday 1/20 name: use the hhmi bio interactive interface to explore the evidence regarding hominid evolution. link on canvas 1. read the introduction to answer the questions below: a. the 2 closets living relatives of modern humans, homo sapien, are: & b. list the 3 major difference between modern humans and these relatives. humans: closest relatives: 2. read the key concepts tab to answer questions below: each statement below is incorrect and reflects a common misconception in evolution on the line below each misconception write a correct statement that fixes the statement. a. misconception: major evolutionary change results from large changes that happen very rapidly. b. misconception: because fossil evidence is incomplete it cannot be used as a reliable source of evidence for evolution. c. misconception: modern humans evolved from apes. d. misconception: the ability to walk upright on two legs is a recent development in human evolution.

Explanation:

1. For question 1a: Based on evolutionary biology, the two closest living relatives of modern humans are the common chimpanzee and bonobo.
2. For question 1b: Key anatomical/behavioral differences are rooted in bipedalism, cognitive traits, and skeletal structure.
3. For question 2: Each corrected statement addresses core evolutionary principles: gradual change, utility of fossil evidence, common ancestry, and the timeline of bipedalism.

Answer:

1. a. Common Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) & Bonobo (Pan paniscus)

b.

Humans:	Closest Relatives:
- Large, globular cranium (large brain size)	- Smaller, elongated cranium
- Reduced facial prognathism, smaller jaws/teeth	- Pronounced facial prognathism, larger jaws/teeth

1. a. Correct statement: Major evolutionary change results from small, incremental changes that accumulate slowly over long periods of time.

b. Correct statement: Even though fossil evidence is incomplete, it still provides reliable, critical evidence for understanding evolutionary patterns and relationships.
c. Correct statement: Modern humans and modern apes share a common extinct ancestor, rather than humans evolving directly from modern apes.
d. Correct statement: The ability to walk upright on two legs (bipedalism) evolved early in the hominin lineage, millions of years ago.