1.6.1 Human Evolution: What Is a Primate?

Question 1

Linnaean system

Answer 1

• The taxonomic categories of the Linnaean system reflect the degree to which organisms are related
• kingdom: animal
• phylum: chordata
• class: mammalia
• order: primate
• family: hominidae
• genus: homo
• species: sapien

Question 2

note

Answer 2

• Darwin proposed that humans and other living primates share a common ancestry.
• Shared anatomical characteristics provide evidence for a common evolutionary history.

Question 3

phylogenetic tree of primates

Answer 3

• The diagram reflects the common ancestry shared
  by living primates, including humans.
• When Darwin returned from his voyage, he
  wrote The Descent of Man in which he proposed that his radical theory of natural selection applied to humans. Darwin believed that humans shared a common ancestry with monkeys and apes.

Question 4

anatomical characteristics

Answer 4

• Shared anatomical characteristics enable
  scientists to discern the degree to which
  organisms are related.
• Primates have inherited a set of particular adaptations from a common ancestor. One such adaptation in the opposable thumb. The illustration on the left contrasts the opposable thumb of primates with other species that
  don’t have the characteristic.Other characteristics that primates share include:
  • nails instead of claws
  • eyes facing forward
  • extended period of care for
  their young

Question 5

Humans are members of the ____________________ Primates.

Answer 5

• order

Question 6

Two organisms that are in the same genus must be in the same

Answer 6

• order.

- class

Question 7

Apes and humans are members of the same order but different families. They are not in the same family because of differences in

Answer 7

• the position of the pelvis and curvature of the spine.

Question 8

Which of the following statements regarding the Linnean system of classification is incorrect?

Answer 8

• Two organisms can be in the same genus but different families.

Question 9

Which of the following is not a characteristic shared by all primates?

Answer 9

• shape of the skull

Question 10

Humans and their immediate ancestors fall into

Answer 10

• the family Hominidae