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

Biological principles and the science of zoology, 1.  Explain the fundament...

1.  Explain the fundamental scientific principles, including basic principles of chemistry and physics. 2.  Give an example that applies scientific principles to the study of zo

Agriculture on a large scale, Agriculture on a large scale: Crops had  ...

Agriculture on a large scale: Crops had  to  be  planted and  harvested in  the  right season. Floods were a recurrent phenomenon  in the river valleys, for which it was essent

Explain glucagon, Explain Glucagon Glucagon is secreted by a-cells of I...

Explain Glucagon Glucagon is secreted by a-cells of Islets of Langerhans. It is a hormone containing 29 amino acids. Its effects are opposite to that of insulin.

Explain the gonadotropic hormones (gth), Explain the Gonadotropic Hormones ...

Explain the Gonadotropic Hormones (GTH): There are two gonadotropic hormones which regulate gonadal functions. They are follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormo

Objectives of hazards in biology laboratory, Objectives After studying ...

Objectives After studying this unit you should be able to: 1.  state the principal hazards of biology lab work, 2.  describe the ways to minimize these dangers, 3.  ex

Political role of communication, Political role of communication Commun...

Political role of communication Communication has an Important role in political  and social awakening. During our freedomstruggle,  the leaders communicated with the people di

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

A simple equal-arm lever, A simple equal-arm lever Make a wooden base 1...

A simple equal-arm lever Make a wooden base 15 cm square and 2 cm thick. In the centre of the base fasten one more block of wood 4 cm square and 3 cm thick. Fasten to two sides

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