[Campbell Biology P.798] Which of the following statements correctly describes characteristi... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements correctly describes characteristics of Ardipithecus ramidus and its comparison to Homo sapiens, according to the text?

  • A: Ardipithecus ramidus lived 6.5 million years ago and had a brain volume comparable to modern humans.
  • B: Ardipithecus ramidus, dating to 4.4 million years ago, was about 1.2 m tall, had relatively large teeth, and a small brain volume (300-450 cm³) compared to Homo sapiens.
  • C: A. ramidus primarily engaged in arboreal locomotion, with its pelvis, leg bones, and feet suggesting a chimpanzee-like gait.
  • D: While A. ramidus had a jaw that projected beyond the upper part of the face, humans also exhibit this characteristic to a similar degree.

Explanation

Option B accurately compiles multiple details from the text. The text states: 'The 4.4-million-year-old Ardipithecus ramidus also suggest that early hominins were increasingly bipedal.' It further says: 'A. ramidus, for example, is estimated to have been about 1.2 m tall, with relatively large teeth and a jaw that projected beyond the upper part of the face.' And 'While early hominins were showing signs of bipedalism, their brains remained small—about 300–450 cm³ in volume, compared with an average of 1,300 cm³ for Homo sapiens.'