[Campbell Biology P.801] Based on the provided text and Figure 34.51, which statement accura... | Practice Question

Based on the provided text and Figure 34.51, which statement accurately describes the evolutionary relationships among hominins?

  • A: The lineage leading to modern humans and the Neanderthal lineage diverged approximately 600,000 years ago.
  • B: Modern humans are direct descendants of Neanderthals due to documented interbreeding events.
  • C: Neanderthals are more closely related to modern humans than to Denisovans.
  • D: Interbreeding between modern humans and other hominins only occurred around 300,000 years ago.

Explanation

The text explicitly states: 'Genetic data indicate that the lineages leading to H. sapiens and to Neanderthals diverged about 600,000 years ago Figure 34.51 .' This directly supports option A. The other options are contradicted by information in the text or the figure regarding direct ancestry, relative relatedness, and the timing/frequency of interbreeding.