Final answer:
Humans and apes are placed in the same family called Hominidae. They have a strong degree of similarity in DNA and share genetic and behavioral similarities. Humans and apes are related through common ancestors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Humans and apes are placed in the same family called Hominidae. This family includes four living genera: chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and humans. Humans are more closely related to chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans than to any other living species.
Humans and apes have a strong degree of similarity, with more than 97% of their DNA sequence in common. This similarity in DNA results in many proteins with similar or identical functions. Humans and apes also share genetic and behavioral similarities, further supporting their close relationship.
The cladogram, which is based on DNA comparisons, shows that humans are related to apes by descent from common ancestors. The fossil record and a comparison of human and chimpanzee DNA suggest that humans and chimpanzees diverged from a common ancestor approximately six million years ago.