Final answer:
Great apes have important characteristics like increased dexterity of the hands, larger brain size, and decrease in bone mass of the skull and face.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics that distinguish great apes from other primates include increased dexterity of the hands, larger brain size, decrease in bone mass of the skull and face, fully upright posture resulting in bipedalism, shortening of the arms relative to the legs, and smaller front teeth (canines and incisors) and larger molars. These characteristics not only allow great apes to utilize their environment in unique ways but also contribute to their social and cognitive abilities.