Australopithecus is an ape that lived in trees but could walk on two feet. How might fossils from Australopithecus provide evidence for evolution?
a). Australopithecus is a fossil that is used to date other Precambrian fossils.
b). Australopithecus provides evidence of the existence of apes, but not humans.
c). Australopithecus is a transitional form between apes and humans.
d). Australopithecus provides evidence that humans existed.
Answers
Answer:
a). Australopithecus is a fossil that is used to date other Precambrian fossils.
b). Australopithecus provides evidence of the existence of apes, but not humans.
c). Australopithecus is a transitional form between apes and humans.
d). Australopithecus provides evidence that humans existed.
Explanation:
c). Australopithecus is a transitional form between apes and humans.
Australopithecus can be considered as a connecting link between ape and man due to the following ape-like and man like characteristics shown by it
The ape-like Characteristics Australopithecus:
(i) The jaws and teeth were larger than those of modern man.
(ii) The face was prognathous, i.e. it had a muzzle like slope.
(iii) The chin was absent.
(iv) The eye-brow ridges projected over the eyes.
(v) Their cranial capacity ranged from 450-600 c.c.
The man-like characteristics of Australopithecus:
(i) It walked nearly or completely straight due to erect posture.
(ii) The vertebral column had a distinct lumbar curve with broad basin-like pelvic girdle.
(iii) Dentition was man-like with the smoothly rounded parabolic dental arch.
(Iv) A Simian gap was absent. Australopithecus is therefore, rightly described as a man with ape brain.They are bipedal in which apes are not usual as they have a slightly larger brain. Their hands are more appropriate for holding vs Trees climbing.
(1) Australopithecus is considered as connecting link between ape and man.
(2) Its fossils were obtained from Toung valley in South Africa, from Ethiopia and Tanzania.
(3) it was in late Piocene or early Pleistocene epoch about 4 to 1.8 million years ago.
(4) It was about 4 feet tall. It had prognathus face, with larger jaws. Chin was absent.
5) Lumbar curvature was present.
(6) It walked upright.
(7) The cranial capacity was about 450 to 600 CC. Therefore, it was called man with pre brain.
The heads sit on top of the spinal column and rotated back into the skull.
These and other characteristics show them a place between ape and humans.
Therefore, Australopithecus is considered as connecting link between ape and man.
Other options-a) Australopithecus is a fossil that is used to date other Precambrian fossils.- is a wrong statement. Australopithecus dated individually,it is not related to Precambrian fossils.
b)Australopithecus provides evidence of the existence of apes, but not humans.- is a wrong statement. Australopithecus provide both evidence of apes and humans.
d). Australopithecus provides evidence that humans existed.-It is also wrong statement as humans evolution related to Australopithecus but before humans were not existed.
So, c). Australopithecus is a transitional form between apes and humans. is correct statement.
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