Question

Were we descended from apes/monkeys? If we are or we weren't explain why this is your answer!

Answer 1

Yes

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that "we are descendants of apes" is a simplified way of explaining our evolutionary history. To clarify, humans and apes share a common ancestor, rather than humans directly descending from modern apes.

According to the theory of evolution, all living organisms on Earth, including humans and apes, share a common ancestry. Around 6-7 million years ago, our evolutionary path diverged from that of the apes. The common ancestor we share with apes lived in Africa. Over millions of years, this ancestral population split into different lineages, resulting in the evolution of various ape species, including chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, and humans.

Through a process known as natural selection, various environmental factors and genetic changes led to the development of different traits in these separate lineages. Humans evolved unique characteristics, such as an upright posture, increased brain size, and the ability to use tools and language.

So, when we say that we are descendants of apes, we mean that humans and apes share a common ancestor, and both have evolved separately along distinct evolutionary paths over millions of years. It is important to understand that evolution is a complex and gradual process that occurs over vast periods of time, involving numerous changes and adaptations.

Answer 2

The question is different for apes and for monkeys. Humans are definitely not descending from monkeys, instead both humans and monkeys have a common ancestor, and both are higher primates (think about it more like siblings than parent-child relationship).

As far as apes are concerned: humans are apes. We are apes together with other apes, such as bonobos and chimpanzees. We have a common ancestor, who was an ape too, so you could say that we are descended from apes (but not today's apes).