Final answer:
Humans are set apart by their complex brains, language use, upright posture, and cultural diversity. We have dexterity, visual emphasis over olfaction, and varied physical and biochemical traits across populations. Human uniqueness is also reflected in our genetic makeup, contributing to individual and cultural diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main features that set humans apart from other primates and mammals include our large and complex brains, upright bipedal posture, ability to use language, and a high capacity for abstract thought and cultural diversity. Unlike other primates, humans have less reliance on smell and more dependence on vision. Our physical characteristics are less robust compared to some primates like gorillas, but our social and biological adaptability has allowed for a wide range of cultures to develop. Human variation also involves different physical traits like height and skin pigmentation, and biochemical differences that can confer certain advantages like resistance to diseases.
In the context of evolutionary biology, humans are the most recent version of the primate body plan and we share many traits with our primate relatives, such as dexterity in our hands and feet, as well as social behaviors. However, what distinguishes us particularly is our use of complex tools, our extensive social networks, and our capability for cumulative culture. The diversity in the human species is reflected not only in physical appearance but also in the genetic uniqueness of each individual, shaped by genes inherited from our parents.