Final answer:
The statement that both humans and New World monkeys have a dental formula is true. They both exhibit a 2.1.2.3 dental formula, which is common among catarrhine primates. This shows an evolutionary connection and reflects adaptations in human dentition related to diet and cooking practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that both humans and New World monkeys have a dental formula is true. In biology, a dental formula represents the number of each type of tooth in one quadrant of the mouth. It is a trait found in all New World monkeys, and it’s also seen in other catarrhine primates, including humans. Particularly, the presence of a 2.1.2.3 dental formula, which includes two incisors, one canine, two premolars, and three molars in each quadrant, is indicative of this group. Propliopithecus, believed to be among the earliest New World monkeys, possesses this dental formula, which suggests its evolutionary lineage.
Humans exhibit this dental formula as well but with notable distinctions in our dental and facial structure. Due to our omnivorous diet and the evolution of cooking, human teeth and jaws are smaller compared to those of other apes. This adaptation is also reflected in the change in the size of our front teeth, with relatively large molars, and the decrease in overall bone mass of the skull and face. This reflects the diverse and processed diets of humans compared to the fruit preference among most primates.