Difference Between Ape and Man:
Even though humans have many similar qualities to apes, they have some fundamental differences. Their physical, social, and cognitive differences keep them apart. Also, understanding these characteristics can help us comprehend how humans evolved and what makes them unique as a species. Here, we will learn more about them and their origins by examining what makes them unique from other primates. Let's explore some notable differences between humans and apes.
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Difference Between Ape and Man
Find the difference between Ape and Man given below:
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Difference Between Ape and Man
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Features
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Ape
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Man
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Family
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They belong to Pongidae
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They belong to Hominidae
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Brow Ridges
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Prominent brow ridges
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Comparatively less pronounced brow ridges
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Forehead
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Sloping
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Vertical
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Chin
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Absent
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Prominent
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Neck
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Short and embedded neck
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Erect and long neck
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Teeth
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They have large teeth placed in a V-shaped dental arch
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They have small teeth placed in a parabola-like dental arch
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Jaw
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Large jaw
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Small jaw
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Simian Gap or Diastema
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All apes possess a diastema or simian gap (a gap between canines and upper incisors)
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Simian gap is absent in most humans
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Skull
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Foramen magnum (skull opening) is directed backwards
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The Foramen magnum in man is directed downward
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Vertebral Column
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Lumbar curve is absent.
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Lumbar curve is present
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Pelvic Girdle
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Narrow, and elongated pelvic girdle
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Broad and basin-like pelvic girdle
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Limbs
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Fore limbs (arms) are typically longer than the hind limbs
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Fore limbs (arms) are usually shorter than the hind limbs
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Hallux
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Hallux or big toe is opposable
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Hallux in man is not opposable
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Locomotion
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They have semi-erect posture with quadrupedal locomotion
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They show complete erect posture and bipedal locomotion
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Brain
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Cranial capacity (brain size) is small
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Cranial capacity is relatively larger
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Body Size
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Larger than man
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Usually smaller than apes
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Diet
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Most herbivorous but also feed on small animals and insects
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They are omnivorous and have a wide variety of food choices like grains, meats, and vegetables
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Life Span
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Shorter than humans. They hardly live past 40
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Comparitively longer life span
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Social and Cognitive Differences Between Ape and Man
Find the social and cognitive differences between Ape and Man:
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Social and Cognitive Differences Between Ape and Man
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Features
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Ape
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Man
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Family Structure
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They live in social groups that are dominated by males
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Complex family structure and relationships
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Culture
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No cultural development
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Traditions and culture are usually transferred to the next generation
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Language
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They use only gestures and sounds. Thus it limits the range of communication
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Man conveys thoughts via complex language systems.
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Cognition
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Their cognitive abilities are underdeveloped.
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They have highly developed thought processes and creative ideas.
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Humans and Apes
Primates are a diversified order of animals that includes prosimians, greater apes, lesser apes, and monkeys. Humans are a member of the great apes family. Although humans are primates, apes are the primates that resemble us the most. There are several morphological and genetic similarities between an ape and a man. As a result, we are categorised as hominoids, a subgroup of primates, along with all other greater apes.
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Modern Humans
Homo erectus
(upright man in Latin) is the most common ancestor that led to the evolution of modern humans. It originated in Africa and evolved over the past 200,000 years.
Homo erectus
, the earliest known member of the human genus, was extinct between 1.9 million and 135,000 years ago.
Around 300,000 years ago,
Homo sapiens
developed in Africa. They are the descendants of
Homo eructs
. These
Homo sapiens
left the continent during a period of extreme climatic change and interbred with local populations, and raised the modern
H.sapiens
or humans. Like early people living at the time, they foraged and hunted food and developed behaviours to cope with the difficulties of existence.
Since the separation from the last common ancestor, many morphological, behavioural, developmental, and physiological changes have occurred in humans.
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