Final answer:
Hominoids, including humans, have several distinct features. These include bipedalism, an increase in brain size, and a fully opposable thumb.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term hominoids encompasses both the great apes and humans, together forming the family Hominidae within the order Primates. Notable features that define hominoids include their lack of a tail, relatively larger brain sizes compared to other mammals, and increased reliance on complex social behaviors. Hominoids are a group of primates that include humans and great apes. Some of the key features of hominoids include:
- Bipedalism: Hominoids, including humans, have the ability to walk on two feet. This is a unique characteristic that sets them apart from other primates. For example, early hominins like Australopithecus and Homo habilis were bipedal.
- Increase in brain size: Hominoids, particularly humans, have larger brains compared to other primates. This increased brain size is associated with higher intelligence and the development of complex cognitive abilities.
- Fully opposable thumb: Hominoids have a thumb that can touch the little finger, allowing for a precise grip and manipulation of objects. This feature is essential for tool use, which is observed in some hominin species like Homo habilis.