There are two opposing views about origin of Modern man. According to one view Homo erectus in Asia were the ancestors of modern man. A study of variations of DNA however suggested African origin of Modem man. What kind of observation on DNA variation could suggest this?
Greater variation in Africa than in Asia
Variation only in Asia and no variation in Africa
Greater variation in Asia than in Africa
Similar variation in Africa and Asia
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The origin of human races is a much-debated point among scientists studying human evolution. Many scientists argued that different race evolved from Homo erectus independently and that each adapted to a different place-Orientals in Asia, Caucasians in Europe, Aborigines in Australia and so on. However, in recent times, scientists conducting studies on mitochondrial DNA collected from diverse human populations across the globe have put forth a different perspective. Their research findings suggest that all human races trace their origins back to a common ancestor, Homo sapiens, who originated in Africa.
So, the correct option is (C): Greater variation in Asia than in Africa
Top Questions on evolution
- How does the process of Natural Selection affect Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium? Explain with the help of graphs.
- (a) “The process of evolution of different species in a given geographical area starts from a point and literally radiates to other geographical areas.” Explain it with an example.
(b) Cite an example where more than one adaptive radiation has occurred in an isolated geographical area. Name the type of evolution your example depicts. - (a) "The process of evolution of different species in a given geographical area starts from a point and literally radiates to other geographical areas." Explain it with an example.
(b) Cite an example where more than one adaptive radiation has occurred in an isolated geographical area. Name the type of evolution your example depicts. - A few stages and their respective time period in the evolutionary history of human beings are mentioned in the flowchart given below:
- 15 mya — Primates walking like gorillas and chimpanzees existed.
- 3–4 mya — Man-like primates walked in Eastern Africa. Fossils of their bones were discovered.
- 2 mya — This ancestor lived in the East African grasslands and ate fruits.
- 1.5 mya — This hominid had a brain size of 900 cc and probably ate meat.
- [(a)] Name one primate about 15 mya.
- [(b)] Name one place where fossils of primates were discovered in Eastern Africa.
- [(c)] Name the ancestor that lived in the East African grasslands about 2 mya.
- [(d)] Name the hominid that was found around 1.5 mya.
The given graph shows the range of variation among population members, for a trait determined by multiple genes. If this population is subjected to disruptive selection for several generations, which of the following distributions is most likely to result?
Questions Asked in NEET exam
The current passing through the battery in the given circuit, is:
- NEET (UG) - 2025
- Current electricity
A bob of heavy mass \(m\) is suspended by a light string of length \(l\). The bob is given a horizontal velocity \(v_0\) as shown in figure. If the string gets slack at some point P making an angle \( \theta \) from the horizontal, the ratio of the speed \(v\) of the bob at point P to its initial speed \(v_0\) is :
- NEET (UG) - 2025
- Pendulums
- Two cities X and Y are connected by a regular bus service with a bus leaving in either direction every T min. A girl is driving scooty with a speed of 60 km/h in the direction X to Y. She notices that a bus goes past her every 30 minutes in the direction of her motion, and every 10 minutes in the opposite direction. Choose the correct option for the period T of the bus service and the speed (assumed constant) of the buses.
- NEET (UG) - 2025
- Relative Velocity
- The intensity of transmitted light when a polaroid sheet, placed between two crossed polaroids at \(22.5^\circ\) from the polarization axis of one of the polaroids (\(I_0\) is the intensity of polarised light after passing through the first polaroid):
- NEET (UG) - 2025
- Polarization
A full wave rectifier circuit with diodes (\(D_1\)) and (\(D_2\)) is shown in the figure. If input supply voltage \(V_{in} = 220 \sin(100 \pi t)\) volt, then at \(t = 15\) msec:
- NEET (UG) - 2025
- Semiconductor Diode
Concepts Used:
Evidence for Evolution
Evolution evidence is one of the most important pillars of current biological theory. It is the only way to prove all of the proposed evolution theories. Fossils, comparative anatomy, and embryo development patterns are among the evidence used to support biological evolution.
Fossils are the non-degraded remains of living organisms discovered within rocks. The age of the fossil is determined by the layer in which it was recovered. In comparison to the fossils found in the upper layers, those found farther down are older. They provide insight on the condition of the specific region. Palaeontology is the scientific study of fossils.
Comparative Anatomy describes how many organisms share an origin and how natural selection or genetic drift led to the evolution of many diverse organisms. There were two categories of comparative anatomy found: homologous organs and analogous organs.
In Embryonic Development, until a certain stage of gestation, the embryos of various species have a similar structure. Human embryos, pig embryos, reptile embryos, and bird embryos, for instance, have similar embryonic development. As they grow older, they transform into the appropriate species. This demonstrates common ancestry once again.