Name: Evolution of Man
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 7 min 34 s
Description: The theory of evolution explains how modern species exist. But what about humans? How does this process affect our species? Find these answers in this video!

Question

Given below are two stages in the evolution of man.

Study them and answer the questions that follow:

(i) Identify Australopithecus and Neanderthal man from the above pictures.

(ii) Mention two characteristic features each for the two stages.

(iii) Who proposed the theory of ‘Natural Selection'?

(iv) Name the organism used as an example to explain ‘Industrial Melanism’.

(v) Give two examples of Vestigial organs in humans.

Accepted Answer

(i) A: Neanderthal man, B: Australopithecus man

(ii) Characteristic feature of Neanderthal man:

Absolute bipedalism, large head, broad flat slopping forehead, less hair on the body, large cranial capacity 1500 cm³.

Characteristic features of Australopithecus man:

Protruding face, chin absent, prominent eyebrow ridges, flat nose, projecting face, cranial capacity 450-600 cm³.

(iii) Charles Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection. Natural selection is the process where organisms with favourable traits are more likely to reproduce. In doing so, they pass on these traits to the next generation.

(iv) Industrial melanism is the darkness of the skin, feathers, fur, etc. It is acquired by a population of animals living in an industrial region where the environment is soot-darkened. The peppered moth is used as an example to explain Industrial Melanism.

(v) Two examples of vestigial organs in humans are as follows:

Pinna of ear

Vermiform appendix

Important Questions on Human Evolution

Learn and Prepare for any exam you want !