2007-05-06 00:42:09 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Yes, like most mammals.
Like most other mammals, the giraffe has seven neck bones. What if it did not nave seven bones between the shoulders and the base of the skull? Man's short neck supports a perfectly balanced head in the erect posture with very little effort. The giraffe's huge head must be held aloft at all times. When standing, nearly half of its approximately 225-kilogram (500 pound) neck muscles are in tension. The amount of muscle required is directly related to the number of joints that must be supported. Reducing the joints to just two, at the skull and at the chest, would reduce the weight considerably and require less energy for survival. If the shortage of food drove the neck to change, would not the number of neck bones and joints be changeable also by such evolutionary processes? Of course the problem with this design would be a loss of flexibility, and would severely increase breakability if the giraffe received a blow to the head or neck.
2007-05-06 00:51:50 · answer #1 · answered by Quizard 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Yes. This is of course excellent evidence for the common descent of all mammals - despite our very different size and shapes, some features are strongly conserved, such as the number of cervical vertebrae.
2007-05-06 09:08:14 · answer #2 · answered by Daniel R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seven cervical vertibrae is a characteristic of al mammals. So both humans and giraffes have seven vertibrae in their neck.
2007-05-06 02:16:35 · answer #3 · answered by Nicky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually the difference in mammals anatomy is related to the size of the organs and extremeties or skeleton. Most if not all mammals have the same organs in the same spots, just different sizes.
2007-05-06 02:52:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes: 7 vertebrae. They are of course much bigger in the case of a giraffe.
2007-05-06 00:45:33 · answer #5 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh yes, just big long ones, and some valves in the neck veins to stop it blacking out when it moves its head fully up or down.
2007-05-06 00:54:35 · answer #6 · answered by ffordcash 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
truly, definite I did. I watch a tremendous form of animal planet. they look a lot more effective than ours for sure. in spite of the indisputable fact that it has some thing to do with their blood pass even as they bend down for a drink!
2016-11-25 21:49:50 · answer #7 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, 7 vertibrae, the same as every mammal except the sloth and the manatee. :-)
2007-05-06 00:44:29 · answer #8 · answered by Tilly 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have got 200 more bones in my body than I had yesterday,
I had a kipper for breakfast.
2007-05-06 00:47:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes.
All mammals have the same set (or numbers) of vertibraes.
If it is less or more then it would considered abnormal.
2007-05-06 01:06:09 · answer #10 · answered by Rey Arson II 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋