Macroevolution can be hard to grasp because it is so difficult to observe.

Some who are skeptical of evolutionary theory might make this statement:

If the theory that humans evolved from apes is correct, then we should see chimpanzees evolving into humans today.

Questions

1. A woman and her sister share a common ancestor, their mother. Can both women exist at the same time?
2. Are chimpanzees successful (in other words, do they survive and reproduce) in their current environment?
3. Consider the time before humans evolved. Are the environmental conditions that existed when humans evolved the same as the environmental conditions today? Explain.
4. Is a “somewhat more human-like” chimpanzee (for example, more bipedal) likely to be more successful than a typical chimpanzee in their current environment?
5. Reflect on your answers to questions 1–4 above.
Explain why the original statement bolded above, sounds right, but isn’t.