What was the earliest hominin to have an enlarged brain (relative to body size)?

• A. Ardipithecus ramidus
• B. Australopithecus afarensis
• C. Homo erectus
• D. Homo neanderthalensis
• E. Homo habilis

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the term 'hominin,' which refers to members of the human lineage after the split from the common ancestor with chimpanzees. This includes all species on the branch leading to humans.
2. Consider the significance of brain size relative to body size in hominins. An enlarged brain is often associated with advanced cognitive abilities and is a key feature in human evolution.
3. Review the timeline of hominin evolution. Homo habilis is known to have lived approximately 2.1 to 1.5 million years ago, and is often considered one of the earliest members of the genus Homo.
4. Examine the characteristics of Homo habilis. It is distinguished by having a larger brain size compared to earlier hominins like Australopithecus afarensis and Ardipithecus ramidus, which had smaller brains relative to their body size.
5. Conclude that Homo habilis is recognized as the earliest hominin to have an enlarged brain relative to body size, marking a significant step in the evolution of human cognitive capabilities.