What is the functional significance of the S-shaped bend in the vertebral column of Homo sapiens?
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The bend places the center of gravity of the body directly above the hips. When the knees are held straight, the leg bones transmit the weight of the body to the ground and the base of support formed by the area of contact between the feet and the substrate lies directly beneath the center of gravity. As a result, the leg bones support the weight of the body, and little muscular effort is required for a human to stand erect.
The vertebral column of chimpanzees lacks an S bend. When a chimpanzee stands bipedally, its center of gravity is anterior to its hips. As a result, a chimpanzee must bend its legs and knees to place its center of gravity above its feet, and this bent-leg posture requires muscular activity.
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