Final answer:
Humans are more closely related to chimpanzees and gorillas than to rhesus monkeys, sharing over 97% of our DNA with these apes. Despite physical differences, the genetic closeness points to a recent common ancestor. The primate family Hominidae encompasses these closely related species, demonstrating both our similarities and unique human traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Molecular and morphological knowledge of living humans and apes supports the idea that humans are more closely related to chimpanzees and gorillas than we are to rhesus monkeys. In the family Hominidae, which includes humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, we find that humans share a significant amount of our DNA with chimpanzees and gorillas, over 97%. Moreover, humans and chimpanzees share about 98% of our genes, indicating a recent common ancestor.
While we share many traits with our primate relatives, such as the capacity for language and culture, we also have distinct features that set us apart, like our bipedalism, large brain size, and fully opposable thumb. The various hominid species demonstrate that even with genetic similarities, physical appearances and abilities can be significantly different—humans are weaker than gorillas but have a greater capacity for abstract thought compared to all other primates.
The closest living relatives to humans are thus chimpanzees, followed closely by gorillas, while rhesus monkeys, although primates, are not as closely related in evolutionary terms.