Concept explainers
Introduction: The genus Homo comprises modern humans as well as their close relatives. This genus is defined by certain behavioral as well as physical characteristics such as the small face, small jaws, and large brain.
Answer to Problem 1SQ
Correct answer: Option d) short legs relative to arms
Explanation of Solution
Reasons for the correct answer:
Option d) is given as “short legs relative to arms”.
Most of the anatomical characteristics differ between early australopithecine species and Homo habilis. The early australopithecines had a huge chewing complex and small brain. But the chewing complex of Homo habilis was smaller and the brain was large. The legs of Homo habilis were short relative to their arms and this feature was similar to the early australopithecine species.
Hence option d) is correct.
Reasons for the incorrect answers:
Option a) is given as “a small brain”. The early australopithecines had a smaller brain but the brain of Homo habilis was larger. Hence, option a) is incorrect.
Option b) is given as “a large chewing complex”. The early australopithecines had a huge chewing complex but the chewing complex of Homo habilis was smaller. Hence, option b) is incorrect.
Option c) is given as “a large face and large jaws”. The anatomical characteristics such as large jaws and large faces were found in early australopithecines whereas Homo habilis has face and jaws smaller than early australopithecines. Hence, option c) is incorrect.
Therefore, options a), b), and c) are incorrect.
Therefore, the anatomical characteristic that was similar between the earliest australopithecine species and the Homo habilis was legs that are shorter when compared to arms.
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Chapter 11 Solutions
Our Origins: Discovering Physical Anthropology (Fourth Edition)
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