Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What is the order that includes humans?

1. Hominidae

2. Primate

3. Mammalia

4. Chordata

The correct answer is: Primate

The correct response is based on the classification of living organisms, specifically the taxonomic hierarchy. In this hierarchy, the order Primates is the category that includes humans. Humans belong to the family Hominidae, which is a subgroup under the order Primates. Primates are distinguished by characteristics including flexible limbs, large brains relative to body size, and a reliance on social behavior. This order encompasses not only humans but also other species such as monkeys, apes, and lemurs. It is a broader category that captures the biological similarities and evolutionary relationships found within this group. In contrast, the family Hominidae focuses specifically on great apes and their ancestors, while Mammalia, the class to which humans belong, includes all mammals, and Chordata, the phylum, encompasses all animals with a notochord, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Thus, Primates are the most specific and appropriate classification for understanding the group that includes humans within the larger context of biological classification.