Which is the most valid statement regarding human evolution?Interestingly, 100% of the students answered (1), chimpanzees. The correct answer is (3), lobe-finned fishes. Humans did not evolve from chimpanzees, humans and chimpanzees both evolved from a common ancestor that was neither a human nor a chimpanzee. And this common ancestor, like all tetrapods, evolved from lobe-finned fishes.
- Humans evolved from chimpanzees.
- Humans evolved from theropod dinosaurs.
- Humans evolved from lobe-finned fishes.
- Humans evolved from bats.
Students didn't lose any points over this, but it is instructive. This is a sort of snapshot of the level of general awareness and understanding of evolution that people have, if they are forced to think about it. I wonder what would have been the result if I had included a choice like "Humans evolved from Adam and Eve, who were created in the Garden of Eden some 6,000 years ago."
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