Biology Now (Second Edition)
Biology Now (Second Edition)
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9780393631807
Author: Anne Houtman, Megan Scudellari, Cindy Malone
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 17, Problem 1TQ
Summary Introduction

A taxonomic tribal group that belongs to the subfamily Homininae are known as Hominins. This group consists of the genus Homo though it does not include the genus Gorilla. An example of earliest hominins is Sahelanthropus tchadensis. An example of early hominins is Ardipithecus ramidus.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1TQ

Single evolutionary line does not exist between Ardipithecus ramidus and modern humans. The evolution occurred through a series of evolutionary stages and it is not a single line. Ardipithecus ramidus was discovered to be closely related to chimpanzees.

Therefore, option (a) is correct. 

Explanation of Solution

Justify the reasons for the correct statement:

The brain (400 cubic centimeters) and the teeth of all hominins, including Ardipithecus ramidus, were small compared to humans. These features of human resembled with those features of Chimpanzees. The volume of the human brain is 1,400 cubic centimeters. The earliest known hominin dates 6 to 7 million years ago, while others dates 4.4 million years ago and several others dates 3 to 4.2 million years. Anatomically modern human appears to be evolved over 200,000 years ago. All these suggests that the ape does not evolve into human.

Option (a) is given as, “A single evolutionary line led from Ardipithecus ramidus to modern humans”.

Hence, the option (a) is correct.

Justify the reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option (b) is given as, “Some hominid traits evolved more rapidly than others”. 

The earliest known hominins, belonging to the Hominid family dated 6 to 7 million years ago, others dates 4.4 million years ago, and several others dates 3 to 4.2 million years. This data suggests that the hominid traits evolved more rapidly as compared to others. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (c) is given as, “Brain size increased greatly from early hominids to Homo sapiens”.

The brains of early hominids measured 400 cubic centimeters that increased greatly to 1,400 cubic centimeters in humans. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (d) is given as, “Tool making technology has improved greatly over the past 300,000 years”. 

Hominids were the first to use stone tools. The tool making technology has improved over several years or the past 300,000 years resulting in iron tools. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Human beings are not closely related to apes. They are a part of separate branch termed hominins. Hence, the given statement ‘a single evolutionary line led from Ardipithecus ramidus to modern humans’ is not true.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781259398629
Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
Text book image
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780815344322
Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Text book image
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781260159363
Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Text book image
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9781260231700
Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:McGraw Hill Education
The Evolution of Populations: Natural Selection, Genetic Drift, and Gene Flow; Author: Professor Dave Explains;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRWXEMlI0_U;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY
The Evolution of Humans | Evolution | Biology | FuseSchool; Author: FuseSchool - Global Education;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf_dDp7drFg;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY