Question

How might adding meat to the diet have changed the physical structure of genus Homo?

A) reduced the size of teeth
B) reduced the size of the chewing muscles and therefore the robusticity of the face
C) reduced the size of the gut and therefore the size of the rib cage
D) All of the above

Answer 1

Adding meat to the diet of early humans, specifically the genus Homo, resulted in reduced size of teeth, chewing muscles and face robusticity, as well as the size of the gut and rib cage.

Step-by-step explanation:

Adding meat to the diet of early humans, specifically the genus Homo, led to several changes in their physical structure. These changes include:

1. Reduced size of teeth: Eating cooked meat and softer foods alleviated the need for large chewing teeth, resulting in smaller teeth and thicker enamel.
2. Reduced size of chewing muscles and face robusticity: Consuming cooked and easier-to-chew meat reduced the need for strong chewing muscles, which in turn reduced the robusticity of the face.
3. Reduced size of gut and rib cage: The inclusion of meat in the diet required less volume in the gut for digestion, leading to a reduction in the size of the gut and therefore the rib cage.

Therefore, the correct answer is D) All of the above.