Characteristics that humans share with African apes

Question 1

What is bipedalism?

Answer 1

The ability to walk on two legs.

Question 2

What is the function of the foramen magnum?

Answer 2

It’s the hole in the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes.

Question 3

What is quadrupedalism?

Answer 3

Locomotion using all four limbs.

Question 4

What is a cranial ridge?

Answer 4

A ridge on the top of the skull used to attach large jaw muscles.

Question 5

What does prognathous mean?

Answer 5

Having a protruding upper or lower jaw.

Question 6

What are key characteristics humans share with African apes?

Answer 6

Opposable thumbs, large brains, eyes in front, upright posture, and bare fingertips.

Question 7

Why do humans and apes have opposable thumbs?

Answer 7

To grip objects more effectively.

Question 8

Why are forward-facing eyes important?

Answer 8

They provide binocular vision and depth perception.

Question 9

Why are hominids considered diurnal?

Answer 9

They are active during the day.

Question 10

What is sexual dimorphism?

Answer 10

Differences in size and appearance between males and females of a species.

Question 11

What anatomical change in the skull supports bipedalism?

Answer 11

The foramen magnum shifted forward.

Question 12

What is quadrupedalism?

Answer 12

Locomotion using all four limbs.

Question 13

What is the function of the foramen magnum?

Answer 13

It’s the hole in the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes.

Question 14

What is a cranial ridge?

Answer 14

A ridge on the top of the skull used to attach large jaw muscles.

Question 15

What does prognathous mean?

Answer 15

Having a protruding upper or lower jaw.

Question 16

What are key characteristics humans share with African apes?

Answer 16

Opposable thumbs, large brains, eyes in front, upright posture, and bare fingertips.

Question 17

Why do humans and apes have opposable thumbs?

Answer 17

To grip objects more effectively.

Question 18

Why are forward-facing eyes important?

Answer 18

They provide binocular vision and depth perception.

Question 19

Why are hominids considered diurnal?

Answer 19

They are active during the day.

Question 20

What is sexual dimorphism?

Answer 20

Differences in size and appearance between males and females of a species.

Question 21

What anatomical change in the skull supports bipedalism?

Answer 21

The foramen magnum shifted forward.

Question 22

What spinal shape do humans have and why?

Answer 22

An S-shaped spine to balance the body above the pelvis.

Question 23

Why is the human pelvis shaped differently?

Answer 23

To support organs and allow for efficient bipedal walking.

Question 24

What is the pelvic shape in humans versus apes?

Answer 24

Humans: short and wide; Apes: long and narrow.

Question 25

What is the difference in femur angle between humans and apes?

Answer 25

Human femur angles inward for balance; apes’ femurs are straighter.

Question 26

How does brain size differ between humans and apes?

Answer 26

Humans have larger brains relative to body size.

Question 27

What are the differences in brow ridges between humans and apes?

Answer 27

Apes have large brow ridges; humans have reduced or none.

Question 28

How does jaw size differ between humans and apes?

Answer 28

Humans have smaller, less protruding jaws.

Question 29

How has the shape of the palate changed through evolution?

Answer 29

Humans have a small, semi-circular palate; apes have a long, rectangular palate.

Question 30

Why are human canines smaller than those of apes?

Answer 30

Due to a diet of softer, cooked foods.

Question 31

What happened to the cranial ridge in humans?

Answer 31

It disappeared as jaw muscles became smaller.

Question 32

What evolutionary advantage does bipedalism give for thermoregulation?

Answer 32

It exposes less surface area to direct sunlight and lifts the body away from the hot ground.