Question

Modern humans have lost the system of air sacs that other great apes have. Whatever the reason for this loss, one resulting effect on human behavior was ________.

1) restriction of modern humans to low altitudes

2) loss of the ability to make loud calls

3) mimproved ability to swallow

4) increase in the sizes of Broca's and Wernecke's areas

5) the ability to pronounce sounds more clearly

Answer 1

Due to anatomical changes, including the loss of air sacs, humans had the ability to pronounce sounds more clearly, aiding the development of complex spoken language.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the resulting effect on human behavior due to the loss of the system of air sacs that other great apes have. One of the consequences of modern humans losing this system of air sacs, as well as other anatomical changes including the development of a descended larynx and changes in the vocal tract, was the ability to pronounce sounds more clearly. These evolutionary changes were critical in the development of spoken language, which in turn led to the emergence of complex human culture. The larynx's position in modern humans allows for producing a wider range of phonemes, which are combined to create words. In contrast, the high placement of the larynx in Neanderthals limited their ability to produce such a variety of sounds.