Why do people think that humans and chimpanzees come from a common ancestor? Where is the proof? There is no possible way humans and chimps can mate. Although lions and tigers can.
2007-01-10 08:26:45 · 8 answers · asked by ? 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Remember, in science, there is no 'final answer (theory)'. There is only 'the best answer (theory) at the time', and it will always be questioned and SHOULD be questioned. Thats one of the nice things about science.
The common descent theory has its strongest evidence in for humans in work for organ transplantation, genetic markers, and fetal/ananomical studies. And our common ancestor doesn't just limit us to apes, it connects us to other mammilian species...and eventually, as we go down the line, to our proto-life single celled ancestors...the case of the missing primordial link, if you will.
But the best evidence for common descent theory in GENERAL is through demonstrations of artifical selection, such as with dog breeding and plant alterations. Some have argued that the universiality of the genetic code, the fact that we can create transgenic organisms by taking the genes from one organism and put it in another (such as has been done with jellyfish DNA and pigs/mice.), also stands out. See my source links for more info!
2007-01-10 08:40:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lions and tigers are definitely of the same genus. There is some conflict going on about putting Pan in the Homo genus, but that has little to do with your question. So, it is rather obvious that from the branch point of the two species emerging from a common ancestor that it is much further back for humans/chimps that for lions/tigers. This can be well represented on a taxonomic tree. Other reasons will be provided by others, I am sure.
2007-01-10 08:33:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no possible way humans and chimps can mate
This sentence has got nothing to do with the rest of your question. We cannot mate NOW because we are different species.
Yes, genetics, physiology, geology and several other things all point to us having a common ancestor some time around 3 to 5 million years ago.
2007-01-10 08:31:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The link is the similarity in the DNA structure as well as the anatomy and physiology similarity of both spiecies.
There are differences, but remarkable similarities, which lead scientists to believe, together with this DNA evidence, that Apes and Man developed from a common ancestor.
The proof the mating between common species is no proof that they don't share a common ancestor. As you stated Lions and Tigers can mate - but their offspring are sterile. The Horse and Donkey to produce an infertile offspring Mule is another example.
2007-01-10 08:40:50 · answer #4 · answered by Dr Dave P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was wondering about that a few days back when I was considering the fact that is oftn mentioned that men and monekeys share 98% same DNA. Please note I am in no way suggesting that anyone should try and that perhaps the monkeys have better taste. Sorry I had to add the last part before someone else did.
2007-01-10 08:38:43 · answer #5 · answered by Edward J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humans and chimpanzees share 98% of the same Gene structure.
2007-01-10 11:02:30 · answer #6 · answered by nick w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remote common ancestry does not imply that two species can mate.
2007-01-10 08:30:00 · answer #7 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the is no proof that i know off people have said that humans involved from chimps
or from adam and eve
2007-01-10 08:30:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋