The term "Homo Sapiens" refers to which species?

The term "Homo sapiens" refers specifically to modern humans, distinguishing them from other species within the genus Homo and other members of the primate family. This scientific name translates to "wise man" in Latin and is used in biological classification to categorize humans as a distinct species characterized by advanced cognitive abilities, social structures, and the capacity for language and complex tools.

Homo sapiens is the only surviving species of the genus Homo, which includes several extinct species such as Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) and Homo erectus. The classification underscores the evolutionary lineage of humans and highlights the biological and behavioral traits that set them apart from other species in the animal kingdom.

While humans are indeed mammals and part of the primate order, the term "Homo sapiens" is directly associated with modern humans, making it the most precise and appropriate designation in the context of this question.