Question

The main advantage of bipedal locomotion is:
A. Availability of hands for other uses
B. Increased speed
C. Better body balance
D. Reduced weight

Answer 1

Bipedal is a type of locomotion in which two feet are involved. Organisms move by the two rear limbs or legs. Bipedalism provides one major advantage that it releases forelimbs for other purposes. Bones are organized to help us walk on two legs. Humans show endurance running against other animals as they have bipedal locomotion.

Complete step by step answer: Bipedalism is observed in terrestrial locomotion. Organisms showing this type of locomotion are known as biped. Within evolution, habitual bipedalism has changed, with the macropods, kangaroo, rats and mice, springhare, etc. a large number of modern species briefly use bipedal gait. This bipedal word is derived from latin word two and ped-foot while quadruped means four feet.
Bipedalism offers various advantages to the organisms. Bipedalism raises the head; which have greater field of vision with improved detection of distant dangers or resources; they can also access to the deeper water for wading animals and allow the animals to reach higher food sources with their mouth.
Maximum speed of bipedal movement appears less than the maximum speed of quadrupedal movement with the flexible backbone- both the ostrich and the red kangaroo can reach speeds of 70 km/h, while the cheetah can exceed 100 km/h. Bipedalism is slower at first but it helps humans to escape from most of the other animals. All the future hominid species would carry this trait.
From the above information we can say that bipedal locomotion has the advantage that it provides availability of hands for other uses.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Note: Bipedalism enables hominids to use their tools or arms efficiently, free their arms completely to stretch and use their hands for social display and communication. Walking on two limbs also provides more energy efficiency than walking on four. It gives early hominids to reproduce and therefore more chance of producing offspring bearing this unique trait.