Question

There are two opposing views about the origin of modern man. According to one view, Homo erectus in Asia was the ancestor of modern man. A study of variations of DNA, however, suggested the African origin of modern man. What kind of observation on DNA variations could suggest this type of variation?
A. Greater variation in Asia than in Africa
B. Greater variation in Africa than in Asia
C. Similar variation in Africa and Asia
D. Variation only in Asia and no variation in Africa.

Answer 1

Evolution is the process of changes in the characteristics of the different species on the earth, which adapt according to the harsh environmental conditions of the earth. Mitochondrial DNA helps in the establishment of relations between the ancestors and the present species present on earth.

Complete answer: Human evolution is a much-disputed topic among the scientists working in this field and they always try to discuss new methods for establishing the relationships among different organisms by studying DNA and RNA fragments, fossils, and mitochondrial DNA. Around 2 million years ago humans first migrated out of Africa into Asia. Between 1.5 million and 1 million years ago these early humans entered Europe. Over the past many year’s modern humans have populated many parts of the world, for example, people first migrated to Australia probably within the past 60000 years. Around 12,000 years ago the beginning of agriculture and the rise of the first civilization was believed to have occurred.
Recently, many scientists are interested in performing experiments on the mitochondrial DNA of different species including humans and research has shown worldwide results that all human races originate from one common origin that is, Homo sapiens, ancestors from Africa.
Thus, we can conclude that there are more variations in Asia than in Africa. So, option ‘A. is the correct answer.

Note: The ability to walk on two legs is considered to be the earliest defining human traits that evolved over 4 million years ago. This is known as bipedalism. Over the past, many decades’ human beings have evolved and possessed characteristics such as the ability to think, to make decisions, make and use tools to perform tasks, speak, understand languages, expression, arts, etc.