Apes: Defining Characteristics and Classification

Biology Grades High School 1:04 Video
Print Lesson Plan Watch Video

Lesson Description

This lesson clarifies the defining characteristics of apes, specifically the absence of tails, and explores the classification of apes into lesser and great apes. It reinforces understanding of primate evolution and human placement within the animal kingdom.

Video Resource

Ape Clarification

Khan Academy

Duration: 1:04
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Apes lack tails.
  • Apes are classified into lesser and great apes.
  • Humans are classified as great apes.
  • Evolutionary classification

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the absence of a tail as a key characteristic of apes.
  • Students will be able to differentiate between lesser and great apes, providing examples of each.
  • Students will be able to explain the classification of humans within the great ape family.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they know about apes. Show a picture of an ape with a tail and ask if it's accurate. Introduce the Khan Academy video 'Ape Clarification' to address misconceptions.
  • Video Viewing (3 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video 'Ape Clarification'. Instruct students to take notes on the key characteristics of apes and the classification of lesser and great apes.
  • Discussion (10 mins)
    Facilitate a class discussion based on the video. Clarify any confusion regarding ape characteristics and classification. Emphasize the evolutionary significance of these classifications.
  • Activity: Ape Classification Chart (15 mins)
    Have students create a chart comparing and contrasting lesser and great apes. They should include examples of each, physical characteristics, and habitat information. They can use online resources for additional information.
  • Conclusion (7 mins)
    Review the key concepts of the lesson. Reiterate the defining characteristics of apes and their classification. Briefly discuss the broader context of primate evolution and human placement within it.

Interactive Exercises

  • Ape or Not?
    Show images of various primates, including apes and monkeys. Students must identify whether each animal is an ape and justify their answer based on the presence or absence of a tail.

Discussion Questions

  • Why is it important to accurately classify organisms?
  • What are some other characteristics, besides the absence of a tail, that distinguish apes from other primates?
  • How does understanding the classification of apes contribute to our understanding of human evolution?

Skills Developed

  • Critical thinking
  • Classification
  • Scientific communication
  • Data interpretation

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of apes?

Correct Answer: Absence of a tail

Question 2:

Which of the following is an example of a lesser ape?

Correct Answer: Gibbon

Question 3:

To which group of apes do humans belong?

Correct Answer: Great Apes

Question 4:

The evolutionary classification of apes is primarily based on:

Correct Answer: Physical characteristics and genetic relationships

Question 5:

Which of these features can be used to distinguish apes from other primates?

Correct Answer: Absence of a tail

Question 6:

What is the main difference between lesser apes and great apes, besides size?

Correct Answer: Skeletal structure and intelligence

Question 7:

The study of ape classification helps us understand:

Correct Answer: Evolutionary relationships and common ancestry

Question 8:

Which of these apes is most closely related to humans?

Correct Answer: Chimpanzees

Question 9:

What field of study is most relevant to ape classification?

Correct Answer: Zoology

Question 10:

Why is accurate classification of organisms important?

Correct Answer: To understand evolutionary relationships and biodiversity

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A key characteristic that distinguishes apes from other primates is the absence of a ______.

Correct Answer: tail

Question 2:

__________ are examples of lesser apes.

Correct Answer: Gibbons

Question 3:

Chimpanzees and humans are classified as ________ apes.

Correct Answer: great

Question 4:

The science of classifying organisms is called __________.

Correct Answer: taxonomy

Question 5:

The study of __________ provides evidence for common ancestry among apes.

Correct Answer: evolution

Question 6:

________ apes typically have longer arms relative to their body size compared to ______ apes.

Correct Answer: Lesser, great

Question 7:

Understanding the classification of apes helps us understand __________ relationships.

Correct Answer: evolutionary

Question 8:

_____ are the most closely related living relatives to humans.

Correct Answer: Chimpanzees

Question 9:

Apes are found in Africa and _______.

Correct Answer: Asia

Question 10:

The video 'Ape Clarification' aims to correct the misconception that apes have _______.

Correct Answer: tails

Educational Standards

B.LS4.1:Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence. B.LS4.2:Construct an explanation based on evidence that biological diversity is influenced by (1) the potential for a species to increase in number, (2) the heritable genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of those organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment.

Teaching Materials

Download ready-to-use materials for this lesson:

Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz
Add to Google Classroom

User Actions

Sign in to save this lesson plan to your favorites.

Sign In

Share This Lesson

Related Lesson Plans