Final answer:
The study of human evolution reveals synapomorphies between humans and African great apes, such as bipedalism and DNA similarities. Humans diverged from a common ancestor with chimpanzees approximately six million years ago, with species like Australopithecus providing evidence for shared ancestral traits. These include bipedal locomotion, potential for language, and brain development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of human evolution is a fascinating journey through time, exploring our shared ancestry with the African great apes. The Hominidae family encompasses hominoids, which include the great apes — such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans — and humans. Through both fossil records and DNA analysis, it is evident that humans and chimpanzees branched off from a common ancestor around six million years ago. The term hominins refers to species that evolved after this split, indicating a closer relation to humans than to chimpanzees.
Some of the synapomorphies (shared derived characteristics) that unite humans with these great apes include a high degree of DNA similarity, the potential for developing language and culture, and lack of a tail. Specifically, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans share more than 97% of their DNA. Moreover, bipedalism stands out as a hallmark trait of hominin evolution. Anatomical evidence from species such as Australopithecus shows adaptations for upright walking, despite differences in brain size and sexual dimorphism compared to modern humans.
From a genetic perspective, the great apes and humans diverged over millions of years, leading to recognizable differences in cranial capacity, limb proportions, and locomotion. The shift towards bipedalism in hominins and anatomical changes such as a wider pelvis and anterior position of the foramen magnum underscore the shared evolutionary history with African great apes while also highlighting the uniqueness of human development.