Biochemical evidence, Science

Assignment Help:

Biochemical Evidence:

As we had said earlier in section 13.2, Darwin had  recognized  that humans and the great apes shared many physical characteristics. This led him  to conclude, that humans and apes descended from a common stock. Darwin's conclusions were based on the study of fossils and the physical similarities  that he had observed. Now, a century later biochemical studies of  proteins and the genetic material-DNA  show how good his guess  was, Biochemical studies show us that, as evolution proceeds and the species get differentiated,  they accumulate changes in the structure of  their proteins and DNA. Longer the separation time, greater the changes. These changes are expressed in terms of  percent genetic distance which indicates  the proportional difference between the DNA of  the two species. Comparative studies of the proteins of  the African apes and humans showed that chimpanzees, gorillas and humans are closely related  to one another, while the Asian apes, i.e. the gibbon and orangutan were the more distant cousins of  this trio  .

 

1779_Biochemical Evidence.png

Once the Asian and African apes were considered to be closely related and it was thought that  the hominids developed from apes prior  to 15 million years ago. Biochemical evidence, however, indicates that the ape-human divergence may have been much closer to five million years and that  thc gorilla split off  first, leaving the chimpanzees and the human-like creatures to share a common ancestor briefly before separating. Ramapithecus fossil specimen found in Asia, Europe and Africa was at one time thought to be closely related  to the species of modem man. However, on the basis of biochemical evidence, it has now been  shown that  it cannot be considered a homonid, because it  lived before  the Asian apes diverged from hominids. Same is true for Sivapithecus indicus, a fine fossil specimen of which was discovered in  1980 from the foothills of  the western Himalayas in  Pakistan. 


Related Discussions:- Biochemical evidence

What is soil erosion, Q.What is soil erosion? The blowing away or washin...

Q.What is soil erosion? The blowing away or washing away of land surface by wind or water is known as soil erosion.

Botany, Hey, I have to ask an expert questions for an assignment and I was ...

Hey, I have to ask an expert questions for an assignment and I was wondering since you have a degree in botany how would a multi vitamin affect a plant?

Mendilian genetics, what are the 7 characters of pea plants observed by men...

what are the 7 characters of pea plants observed by mendal?

Lab animals, LAB ANIMALS : In this section, we shall deal with the importa...

LAB ANIMALS : In this section, we shall deal with the important aspects concerning lab animals. You are advised to be familiar with regulations concerning experiments on animals w

Discuss the elements of cohort study, Question 1 Discuss the elements o...

Question 1 Discuss the elements of cohort study 2 Explain the steps in a Research process 3 What is probability sampling? What are the different types of probability sampling?

Iron age, explain the factors that led to the decline of science in europe ...

explain the factors that led to the decline of science in europe during iron age

Write a brief note on nccam with its purpose, Question 1 Enlist the seven ...

Question 1 Enlist the seven natural principles of the body according to Unani system Question 2 List and explain the types of treatments (chikitsas) of Ayurveda. Classify the

Explain the mechanics of respiration, Explain the Mechanics of Respiration ...

Explain the Mechanics of Respiration The process of respiration can be well understood by studying the mechanism of respiration. This can be explained through a respiratory cy

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd