In the evolution from chimp to man, what factors contributed to the gradual loss of hair on the body? If hair was useful to keep the body warm, why did the hair begin to disappear?
2006-12-29 18:36:40 · 7 answers · asked by dbbrotman 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
As we learned to keep ourselves artificially warm, and as we moved to warmer climates, thick hair became a burden. It would be easy to imagine a child in the tropics occasionally overheating if they were hairy, whereas a child with slightly thinner hair might not, and would have an increased chance of survival. Also warmer weather and hair tends to encourage parasites. anyone with thinner hair would be more easily groomed of parasites, and less prone to infections.
To respond to another answerer concerning Darwin - he was certainly not the only one to postulate natural selection, many others were also working on the theory before him, and contemporaneously, notably Wallace. Darwin had the bravery to put it all together, with evidence and logical discussions, conclusions, and so he is remembered for it.
The theory of evolution by natural selection is one of the most robust yet elegant theories, whose only detractors are religious, not scientific.
2006-12-29 22:12:22 · answer #1 · answered by Terracinese 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well first off, Darwin was driven crazy because of ignorant people torturing him over his theorys, most of that coming from the church.
Our hair became less thick when we started standing up on 2 feet. We no longer needed hair on our backs and legs to protect from the suns UV rays, because so much less of our body was exposed to the sun, so it thinned out and only remained thick in the place where it was needed.
2006-12-29 19:41:29 · answer #2 · answered by Mike S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the hair didnt disappear. We have the same number of folicles as we ever had. Its just smaller and lighter. In fact we have more hair on our bodies than a gorilla does. We have more hair per square inch due to the closeness of our pores. Their hair looks like theres more but it only thicker and longer.
2006-12-29 18:47:49 · answer #3 · answered by Haven17 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are various ideas about this, none of which has been conclusively proven as you can tell from the above. The main one that strikes me is that if you have a fixed abode (unlike other apes) parasites are more likely to infect you, so having thinner hair gives them less to cling to and us more ability to spot them.
2006-12-30 00:21:32 · answer #4 · answered by Nom De Guerre 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe in evolution, but if I did, my guess would be that as they began to cover themselves with animal skins, the need for hair was lessened. Thus, hair evolved away for the lack of need.
2006-12-29 18:42:22 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Clothing and the fact that they began to live indoors.
2006-12-29 18:44:47 · answer #6 · answered by trysssa999 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, first of all... there is absolutely NO proof that man evolved from ape; that's just one man's theory - and he, (Darwin), turned out to be insane, (but of course, no one bothers to mention that, do they?)!
2006-12-29 18:40:57 · answer #7 · answered by love_2b_curious 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋