Question

The size of the quadruped atlas is much larger than that of the biped. It is designed this way because?

1) Gravity acts on the quadruped differently
2) Muscle attachments require larger boney protrusions
3) It would look funny if animals had smaller necks

Answer 1

The size of the quadruped atlas is larger than that of a biped because of the changes in the axial and appendicular skeleton as animals adapted to living on land.

Step-by-step explanation:

The size of the quadruped atlas, which is a bone at the base of the skull, is larger than that of a biped because of the changes that occurred in the axial skeleton and appendicular skeleton as animals adapted to living on land.

The effect of gravity and the lack of buoyancy on land meant that body weight was suspended on the limbs, resulting in increased strengthening and ossification of the limbs and a firmer, more ossified vertebral column to support the body's weight.

Another change was the loss of direct attachment between the pectoral girdle and the head, reducing jarring caused by the impact of the limbs on the ground.