If we descended from the same ancestor as primates why did the evolution cause such huge differences?

Question

Consider all of the differences between human beings themselves and then consider the differences amongst one group of primates from another....
How can so many differences occur in evolution?

Answer 1

genetically, chimpanzees and humans have 99% similar DNA. the differences aren't as big as you think.

Answer 2

It was realized recently that there is more difference in one apes tribe than in whole world population of people. It has lead to conclusion that there was a hard time period (some ~70,000 years ago? - correct me please if anybody remembers better) when only small tribe of humans survived. Hence the enormous similarity of people among themself. As for the differences - diffrent species of primates are as different as we differ from primates. If you consider so many proven evolutionary changes as happen in nature, the difference between apes and humans is not lareg at all. Look at all the evolutionary changes that happen on Earth in last, say, 500,000,000 years. Humans are just an example.

Answer 3

It happens because humans occupy a different ecological niche than most primates. Most primates are arboreal (live in trees). Human ancestors moved from the forest to the savannah millions of years ago.

Different environments have different requirements for survival. In a forest, you can't see very far. On the plain, you can -- IF you can stand upright. Thus standing is a huge survival advantage for human ancesors, because you can see predators and prey more easily.

Answer 4

Evolution is adaptation to the environment and progress towards intelligence. The differences between humans and primates aren't really "huge" in the ways of using tools, learning quickly and social behavior. Evolution is all about differences, change, specific adaptations to the surroundings and for survival. The environment, habitat and microevolution play a big role in the diversity of species and their differences.

Answer 5

Take Darwin's finches.

They evolved as per the next generation with seeds and beaks. With harder seeds, they evolved larger beaks, but with lack of seeds, some evolved smaller beaks for hunting insects.

As with humans and primates, I imagine the use of clothing allows us lack of hair and fur. I believe brain mass expanded since cromagnon.

Tools and equipment allow us less of a need for large gorilla-like gargantuan arms.

Natural Selection is probably going to explain the differences between pretty much everything in the family.

I believe humans are probably the most versatile form of the primate, which helps explain why we are most dominant for ruling the world. Even we as humans are constantly evolving as well. I imagine it's harder with such a massive gene pool. For instance children are being born without wisdom teeth.

Answer 6

Actually, before Darwin even wrote Origin of Species humans were hard at work catagorizing animals on the planet by their striking similarities. This is one of the elements that actually bolstered his argument in 1859. From the 1700's to Darwin's time, scientists where trying to figure out why everything was so similar, not only living animals but those preserved in fossils as well. Back in the 1700's the study of taxonomy classified animals in a heirarchy based on these similarities.

Answer 7

It didn't. Biologically, the differences between us and other primates is very small. We only percieve the differences as being vast becuase we have been trained to, and probably because we wish to.

We are so similar to chimps that it is scary, and often times people can be seen to exhibit animalistic behavior that resembles the chimps. We even look extraordinarily like them. In all probability the greatest difference lies only in one level of intillect, slight size difference, a slightly different gait, and a lack of body hair.


Tiger Striped Dog MD

Answer 8

Environment and natural selection. Dark skin evolved as a result of exposure to strong sunlight. Light skin is the result of colder climate with weaker sunlight and the wearing of more clothing. Each animal adapted to its environment. Even insects have developed natural resistance to some pesticides over time. We are constantly evolving. Look at your feet. In many people now, the middle toe is longer because of the foot adapting itself to modern shoes.

Answer 9

jesus tittty fuccking chirst, heres your damned answer

6.3million years ago, a creature simliar to ape/man, walked around it fuccked and fuccked and imbreed and fuccked until mules (donkeys and horses) were formed , in other words a new race eneveunatly emerged from imbreedng and DNA mutations so then you had two seperate races, the sad thing is the orginal race died off, but the new one seperated again, this time into "humans" and all the ape subspeciees" so evolution is true but it evolves into multiple species from one point of orgin, i wouldnt be surprised that all the vegatation on earth came from one plant.

"America, Fuuck Yeah. Lick my asss and suck my balls"

Team America

Answer 10

environmental issues my friend...

"you are what you eat" as the saying somewhere goes... and "go back where you belong" also gives some lights for me.

evolutionary distinctions also gives the impact, as the late developers as we called them primates, have been left behind in the wild, as we, the humans have been tagged, have evolve in our different development stages. So, I may say that we belong to of who we are now and not of the primates as they are left behind of a thousand, millions, as I might say, of years

Answer 11

Evolution, like flood waters, pours in and fills the world with its diversity and difference. Every little thing in life will effect how that life develops.