The Bones of the Fingers and Toes of Au

question 14

Multiple Choice

The bones of the fingers and toes of Au. afarensis are slightly curved, and the toes are much longer than the toes of modern human beings. This suggests to paleoanthropologists that

• A) the bipedalism of Au. afarensis was even more efficient than that of modern human beings.
• B) Au. afarensis did not move with a full striding gait, as later hominins did.
• C) Au. afarensis lost tree-climbing ability.
• D) the bipedalism of Au. afarensis was remarkably inefficient.

---

Definitions:

Birth Defect

A physical or biochemical abnormality that is present at birth and may cause physical or mental disabilities.

Chemical Teratogens

Substances that can cause birth defects or developmental malformations when exposed to a fetus during pregnancy.

Cohort Effects

Variations in the characteristics of an area of study (like attitudes or behaviors) over time, among individuals who are defined by some shared temporal experience or common life experience.

Longitudinal Effects

Outcomes or impacts that can be observed over extended periods of time, often used to assess how certain variables or interventions influence development or behavior.