A lot of evolutionary science is based on teeth because they tell a lot about the species. Especially the number of teeth they have. If a human was born without a set of wisdom teeth at all (x-rayed) what would that say about them? Would they be more evolved than someone who did? Would that happen randomly or could it mean that individual was more advanced?
2007-09-02 12:07:50 · 17 answers · asked by Derek Bair 2 in Social Science ➔ Anthropology
thats really interesting and people like u are cool b/c ur not stupid like the first answer guy
2007-09-02 12:15:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonomys 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wisdom Teeth Evolution
2016-11-12 03:58:29 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Individuals don't evolve; populations do. Evolution refers to the changes in DNA of a population over time. If a person was born without wisdom teeth, that would mean that the gene or genes that activated wisdom teeth growth in humans was mutated in them. Gene mutation is incredibly common. Every single one of us has at least a few bits of our DNA that weren't copied perfectly. We're all mutants. For the most part, it's nothing that really does anything. We don't notice. When it is something noticeable, it's often detrimental, like genetic diseases. Sometimes, though, it helps, like the people who don't grow wisdom teeth. That doesn't make them any more advanced than the rest of us, though, because evolution doesn't have a direction. It's not going anywhere, and it doesn't matter if you are Albert Einstein or a cold virus; if you pass on your genetic information to future generations, you're successful.
What would be evolution is if those people without wisdom teeth were so much more successful in reproduction than the rest of us that, a few generations down the road, almost no one got wisdom teeth.
2007-09-02 15:29:34 · answer #3 · answered by random6x7 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Wow, that's a really hard place to be. I feel for you. If you can get her calmed down enough, see if she'll have a sit down with you. It sounds to me, especially after reading through the comments, that there may be some confusion as to the terms and definitions. It sounds like she's confusing evolution with origins with creation... Evolution: 1 : one of a set of prescribed movements 2 a : a process of change in a certain direction : unfolding b : the action or an instance of forming and giving something off : emission c (1) : a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state : growth (2) : a process of gradual and relatively peaceful social, political, and economic advance d : something evolved 3 : the process of working out or developing 4 a : the historical development of a biological group (as a race or species) : phylogeny b : a theory that the various types of animals and plants have their origin in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable differences are due to modifications in successive generations; also : the process described by this theory 5 : the extraction of a mathematical root 6 : a process in which the whole universe is a progression of interrelated phenomena Evolution is evidenced through archeological findings. There are various types of animals and plants now that did not exist hundreds of years ago because of modifications, selection, adaptation, etc. None of that proves Man developed from monkeys. Turtles are still turtles, the birds are still birds, moths are still moths, cats are still cats, dogs are still dogs, etc. Humans have evolved over the centuries as well, in height, build, muscle mass, etc, but we're still humans. It's highly possible evolution is why we don't need wisdom teeth anymore - maybe our heads used to be bigger. However, maybe your sister's mouth is just too small to accommodate them. My father is the only person in our immediate family who has had wisdom teeth removed, and that was because of decay. You didn't state your position on your Christianity, so I can't speak to that. Don't lie to her; if you don't believe in God, say so, but if you do, reassure her that your faith is intact. Best of luck.
2016-03-13 01:29:47 · answer #4 · answered by Regenna 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evolution doesn't happen on an individual scale. It happens within a population. If not having wisdom teeth turned out to be advantageous to a population's ability to create fertile offspring, then what you would see is a gradual trend over time of a greater percentage of the population born without wisdom teeth. One person being born without them would just be a genetic defect and would say nothing about them or the rest of the population.
2007-09-02 12:27:00 · answer #5 · answered by weskingston 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not everyone is born with every part of they're body text book placed , and some have a few pieces and parts missing or maybe a few extra digits. Accidents do happen , and no it isn't evolution. Some people are born with multiple sets of teeth that come in behind the original teeth.
2007-09-02 12:20:53 · answer #6 · answered by fuzzykitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats a good question, my Dad was born without wisdom teeth, but I got wisdom teeth. It would seem to me that if his lack of wisdom teeth was due to evolution creating a stronger breed of man, then that trait would be dominant when he and my Mom created me. I was born with wisdom teeth though so my moms genes in that area must have been dominant. Does that make sense? Interesting question though.
2007-09-02 12:16:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had seven wisdom teeth. One of them would have consisted of two teeth. The dentist had to break it out of my face to get it removed. The swelling on both sides of my cheeks was so bad that it created a cyst. After a few months, it burst while I was shaving. A purple puss leaked from my cheek and it left a pock mark. I would venture to guess that these "abnormalities," are indeed a part of natural selection. Humanity, like all creatures of the earth is constantly evolving.
2007-09-03 19:03:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a difficult question to answer because firstly evolution is a theory not a fact. With regards to wisdom teeth, a brief background should be given in order to fully
understand.
As we all know, when we are young we loose our teeth to which "adult" teeth grow in. Now, there are many cases in which an "adult" tooth does not develop and therefore does not grow in. This is also the case with wisdom teeth.
A statistical messure should be preformed to determine whether there has been a decline in the development of wisdom teeth from generation to generation. If it was found that there was a decline, then perhaps a stronger argument could be made that evolution has taken place. Otherwise, the development(or non-development as it may be the case) of your wisdom teeth is purely a result of your genes and luck. =)
2007-09-03 16:11:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Nope. However, every generation, more and more people are being born without wisdom teeth. THAT is an example of evolution.
2007-09-02 15:05:54 · answer #10 · answered by stormsinger1 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If their lack of wisdom teeth gave them a reproductive advantage it might eventually lead to evolution. However, with modern dental care teeth don't really factor into it anymore. People no longer die of a tooth abscess and fail to reproduce because of it.
2007-09-02 15:28:52 · answer #11 · answered by blakenyp 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋