1. What can we learn about being human from studying our closest living relatives?

2. Why is it incorrect to say that humans evolved from chimpanzees?

3. Why is it inappropriate to say that one species is more evolved than another species?

4. What is the estimated age of the Ardipithecus ramidus fossil?

5. What did scientists learn by studying the pelvis of Ardipithecus?

6. What did scientists learn by studying the foot of Ardipithecus?

7. How many years separate the fossils Australopithecus sediba and Ardipithecus ramidus?

8. What characteristics of Australopithecus sediba are more like a chimpanzee’s or other apes’?

9. What characteristics of Australopithecus sediba are more like humans’?

10. One of the researchers studying the Australopithecus sediba fossil says it shows “characteristics of its ancestors and of its descendants.” Do you agree with this claim? Why or why not?

11. Describe the path of evolution beginning with a mammalian ancestor to humans.

12. Compare the australopithecines from southern Africa to those from eastern Africa. Why is Lucy more likely to be an ancestor for early Homo?

13. Describe the significance of Homo ergaster migrating out of Africa.

14. Bipedalism has many selective advantages, including the increased ability to spot predators and prey. However, bipedalism has one particular disadvantage - upright posture leads to a smaller pelvic opening, which makes giving birth to an offspring with a large head very difficult. This situation results in a higher percentage of deaths during birth in humans compared to other primates. How can you explain the selection for a trait, such as bipedalism, that has both positive and negative consequences for fitness?

1. What can we learn about being human from studying our closest li...