High School

What does the evidence suggest is the cause of the difference in chromosome number between humans and non-human great apes?

A. Non-human apes are more closely related to each other than any of them are to humans.
B. Two non-human ape chromosomes fused to form a single chromosome in humans.
C. All non-human apes and humans were created separately and are only referred to as apes because of minor physical similarities.
D. Humans have lost a chromosome since splitting from the other apes.

Answer :

The difference in chromosome number is b. two non-human ape chromosomes fused to form a single chromosome in humans.

The chromosomal fusion explains why humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes while non-human apes have 24.

The evidence indicates that during human evolution, two chromosomes that are separate in non-human great apes (specifically chromosome 2a and 2b) fused to form a single Chromosome 2 in humans.

This chromosomal change is significant because it underscores the close evolutionary relationship between humans and other great apes, despite the difference in chromosome number.

The correct answer is b. two non-human ape chromosomes fused to form a single chromosome in humans.

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