[Biology Class Notes] on Difference Between Man and Ape Pdf

Anatomy and Differences

Man 

Ape

Skull Size

Human brain is three fold more than the average apes’ brain size. It ranges from 1300 cc cm to 1450 cc. 

Therefore, the apes have smaller brains, where chimpanzees have between 400-500 cc, orangutans have 365 cc to 425 cc and gorillas have 400-500 cc.

Teeth and Lower Jaw

Human cranium is larger and protruding. Facial portion is smaller than cranial portion

They have a larger facial portion than the cranium portion.

Forehead

Humans have prominent and arched forehead.

Apes lack forehead.

Tuberosities

The frontal and parietal tuberosities become prominent in human cranium.

It is less prominent as compared to humans.

Occipital Bones

Occipital bones are well arched and more protruding than apes.

It is more protruding than humans.

Foramen Magnum

In humans, foramen magnum is anteriorly placed.

In apes, the foramen magnum is placed towards posterior.

Skull Placement

Human skull is well mounted on the top of the vertebral column in a proper balance.

Ape’s skull hangs on the vertebral column.

Nuchal Region

The Nuchal region is comparatively smooth in humans.

Apes have a rugged nuchal region. 

Sutures in Cranium

The sutures in human cranium are highly serrated and fused at a very late age and exist throughout one’s life.

The sutures of apes are less serrated and start to fuse at an early age.

Orbits

Human orbits have rectangular and rounded angles.

Here, chimpanzees have elliptical orbit, Orangutan and Gorilla have rounded or oval orbits.

Nasal Bones and Bridges

The nasal bones in humans are short and broad with raised nasal bridges.

Apes lack a nasal bridge completely and in Chimpanzees, it is short and flat while long in Orangutan and wide at base & long in Gorilla.

Nasal Sutures

Nasal sutures are present in humans.

It is present in Chimpanzee but often absent in Orangutan and Gorilla.

Premaxilla

Premaxilla is fused to maxilla in humans.

It is well marked in apes.

Food Habit and Teeth

Humans eat tender and cooked food so we have smaller teeth.

Apes have larger teeth; canines are also larger, appointed sharp and projecting.

Legs and Arms

Legs are longer than arms in humans.

Arms are longer than legs in apes.

Language

Humans make use of many written languages.

Apes do not possess any written language.

Mandibles and Chin

Humans have slender and lighter mandibles or lower jaws with distinct chins.

They have larger and massive mandibles without a chin.

Vertebral Column

Humans have an S shaped vertebral column.

They have a C shaped vertebral column.

Pelvis and Birth Canal

Pelvis and birth canal is basin shaped with broad and short illium.

They have long and flat illium placed on the back of the animal.