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

Disposal of microbial cultures, DISPOSAL OF MICROBIAL CULTURES: After the ...

DISPOSAL OF MICROBIAL CULTURES: After the study is finished microbial cultures should not be left in the laboratory or taken out of the laboratory alive because availability of th

Solstice, what are some easy examples of a solstice

what are some easy examples of a solstice

Explain residual volume and functional residual capacity, Explain Residual ...

Explain Residual Volume and Functional Residual Capacity Residual Volume (RV): It is the volume of air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration. The average volume

Explain the intestinal phase, Explain the Intestinal Phase Rest 10% of ...

Explain the Intestinal Phase Rest 10% of the total gastric secretion is discharged in this phase. When partially digested contents of the stomach reach the duodenum, presenc

Chemistry in golden era, Chemistry in golden era: Chemistry In the fiel...

Chemistry in golden era: Chemistry In the field  of metallurgy  too  we notice some remarkable developmenk. Before the close of the sixteenth century, zinc was isolated by a pr

Describe the term - phosphate deficiency, Leguminous crop grown under phos...

Leguminous crop grown under phosphate deficiency conditions may suffer from N deficiency as well.  Explain. Rhizobium bacteria infect the roots of leguminous plants and lead to

Explain the menopause, Explain the Menopause The cessation of menstruat...

Explain the Menopause The cessation of menstruation is menopause. Natural menopause typically occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. It is caused by changes in concentration of

Explain the process of clarification of oil, Clarification of oil Crude...

Clarification of oil Crude oil contains a  suspension of fine pulp and fibre from the plant material. It also contains smaller quantities of water, resins, colors and bacteria,

Explain tidal volume and inspiratory reserve volume, Explain Tidal Volume a...

Explain Tidal Volume and Inspiratory Reserve Volume Tidal Volume (TV):   It is the volume of air that is taken in or given out during quiet breathing. The volume 1s about 500

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