The statement "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny" is discussed in multiple places in this chapter. Which of the following, if true, would be inconsistent with that statement?
A)Squirrel monkeys and dogs tend to exhibit poorer cognitive control than chimpanzees.
B)The frontal lobes of dogs are fully developed within their first 2 years of life.
C)The frontal lobes of chimpanzees become fully developed at a younger age than the frontal lobes of squirrel monkeys or dogs.
D)Humans exhibit better cognitive control than chimpanzees, but our frontal lobes take longer to develop.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny" suggests that an organism's developmental process (ontogeny) mirrors the evolutionary history of its species (phylogeny). Choice C is inconsistent with this statement because if chimpanzee frontal lobes develop at a younger age than those of squirrel monkeys or dogs, it implies a deviation from the expected evolutionary sequence, where more complex organisms (like primates) would have longer developmental periods to reflect their more complex evolutionary history.

The Statement "Ontogeny Recapitulates Phylogeny" Is Discussed in Multiple Places