Question

Which of the following had the smallest brain capacity?
A. Homo neanderthalensis
B. Homo habilis
C. Homo erectus
D. Homo sapiens

Answer 1

Hint: Human evolution traces the stages through which modern-day humans have evolved from their ape-like ancestors over a time period of millions of years. Over the years, the intellectual as well as the physical characteristics have been improved.

Complete Answer:
Homo habilis lived around three million years ago. These species are considered to have evolved in the regions of East and South Africa. Through various studies, they are found to have the smallest brain capacity among the given species. Their brain capacity was about 800 cc. They were the first species to have been involved in weapon making. They were the first species to have developed in the genus Homo.
Considering the other given options:
A. Homo neanderthalensis is studied to have originated from Europe. The brain size of these species is around 1450cc, which is more than that of H.habilis. Thus it is not an appropriate answer
C. Homo erectus originated in the Java island of Indonesia. The brain capacity of these species was studied to be around 900cc, which is more than H. habilis. Thus this is also not the answer.
D. Homo sapiens is also known as Modern Men, and they are the most evolved species. The brain capacity of these species is 1400cc, which is the largest compared to the ancestors. Hence this is also not an appropriate answer.

Thus from the above options, the most appropriate answer is B, that is Homo habilis has the least brain capacity in the given set of options.

Note: Human beings have a much better-developed brain when compared to other Primate species. This phenomenon is due to a process known as Encephalization. It started with the era of Homo habilis.