Lab: Humans and Apes: a Comparison of Features

Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______Humans vs. Apes (Comparing Features) Purpose: Compare the size and shape of various body features of humans and apes.

Academic Science Procedures: 1. Examine the provided diagrams comparing apes and humans. 2. Complete Table I and Table II below by identifying the differences between the listed characteristics of humans and apes. 3. After completing Table I and II, answer the conclusion questions using the data collected on Table I and II.

Table II: Comparison of Ape and Human Skulls

Characteristics Apes Humans

Cranial Capacity

Length & Size of Jaw Facial Profile (prognathism) Supra-orbital Ridge Dental Arcade (lower jaw) Number of Teeth (lower jaw) Molars Premolars Canine Incisors Size of Canine Teeth

Gaps in Teeth

Analysis Questions:

1. How has the position of the big toe on bipedal humans helped as a successful adaptation?

2. If the center of gravity is located above and in front of the pelvis of an animal, the animal has a tendency to fall over when standing on only two legs. Which animal in this investigation (humans or apes) might have this problem? Explain.

3. List 3 characteristics of apes that support the fact that they are quadrupedal rather than bipedal.

4. Suppose the fossil bones of the 3 humanlike animals were discovered. Using observations from Table 1, indicate if each of the animals was bipedal or quadrupedal. a. Animal X – longer arms than legs: ______b. Animal Y – vertebra of the lumbar region are straight: ______c. Animal Z – outside edge of knee joint (below the femur) more worn than the inside edge: ______

5. How does the skull structure provide evidence of an ape’s intelligence compared to a human’s intelligence?