Final answer:
The human genome is 98.6% identical to that of the chimpanzees, indicating that chimpanzees are our closest evolutionary relatives. Neanderthals also share considerable genetic similarities with modern humans, revealing our complex evolutionary history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The human genome is 98.6% identical to our closest evolutionary relative, the chimpanzees. This high degree of similarity suggests that humans and chimpanzees share a recent common ancestor. Modern genetic research has shown that humans and chimpanzees share about 98% of their genes, indicating a close evolutionary relationship. Despite the fact that Neanderthals are very closely related to present-day humans, with some interbreeding likely occurring as modern humans emerged out of Africa, the percentage of DNA shared with them is slightly less than with chimpanzees.
These genetic and behavioral similarities are evidence of our shared evolutionary history. It is remarkable that, despite the diversity of life on Earth, genetic and behavioral similarities among species, especially closely related ones like humans and great apes, are profound. The study of the Neanderthal genome also provides interesting insights into human ancestry and population movements out of Africa.