I know we evolved from primates, but were there like different primates that we evolved from like in different regions, so thats why people look different in different parts of the world.
2007-12-27 04:57:24 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The genetic evidence we have from the mapping of the human genome tells us we all came from one ancestor primate, in Africa, and then left and populated the rest of the world from there.
The physical characteristics you mentioned are only slight differences genetically. The amount we are the same is far larger than the tiny differences you mention.
For a whole lot more information, check out National Geographic's website on the subject:
2007-12-27 05:01:28 · answer #1 · answered by gaelicspawn 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
> were there like different primates that we evolved from like in different regions, so thats why people look different in different parts of the world.
Um, not exactly. Our species, Homo sapiens sapiens, was established before the racial / regional differences showed up. There's been considerable gene flow all during our history, which has kept us all the same species.
Australian aborigines were isolated for a very long time, but not long enough to become a separate species. Even they were Homo sapiens sapiens before settling in Australia.
2007-12-27 07:38:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Excellent question, and my answer is yes to the second part. I'm not a paleoanthropolgist, but the amount of wonder I've spent on the subject entitles me to some credit, even if it's only an opinion. Our genome steers us to a common ancestor in Africa some 2+ million years ago, likely black-skinned and ape-like; just barely 'out-of-the-trees', if you will. Although not a glamorous thought, it does mean we are exquisitely programmed for life and survival on this planet. The variations we see today are because, in part, we've not had time to assimilate globally, as modern travel is just that. Some lines advanced, like us, some lines stayed the same, like apes, and some lines died out, like neanderthal and hobbit. The fact we are here at all is akin to a miracle, and we should give alot more respect to the Creator. To dismiss evolution or God out-of-hand is foolish. Both play a prominent part in us being here and who we are. Both scientists and creationists need to take their blinders off. The truth will probably suprise us all! The answers are out there...
2007-12-27 05:35:28 · answer #3 · answered by Thomas E 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The answer is no.
You are correct, we are a type of ape, but there is no living ape on this planet that is an adequate representation of our own ancestors.
The reason people around the world look different is simply drift. That means as people traveled farther away from africa you get a natural "thinning" of the genome of the population because the population is getting smaller. The further out you move, the thinner the genome gets (a little like inbreeding, but with a longer time scale and lots of fate thrown in for good measure). Then you can add that certain parts of the population get mutations that don't spread to other parts.
2007-12-27 05:09:03 · answer #4 · answered by tiger b 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
There was only one human ancestor species and at times there were very few individuals in the species whose genes have survived.
The genetic diversity amongst humans is very small. Compare that to dogs and cats where selective breeding has brought out an enormous variability in phenotype (at the expense of a robust genotype).
Specifically racial differences account only for a minute subset of genes. It does not take much on the genetic level to change melamine production in the skin or alter someone's cheekbone.
2007-12-27 05:05:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
We did evolve from different parts of the world. People say the first known hominids were in Africa. During Prehistoric times, we were first Homo habilis, then later homo erectus, then homo Sapiens. And we are now Homo sapiens sapiens.
There is a difference between each. :D
2007-12-27 05:04:48 · answer #6 · answered by ViVo (: 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
the switch form living and eating in trees to living on the ground to search for food faciliated the walking upright and bipedalisms.
then later other early humanoids came from other areas and shared their knowledge(methods of survival) that made our brains grow and become prehumanoids.
2007-12-27 06:08:47 · answer #7 · answered by Peggy P 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes I think we haven't yet.
2007-12-27 05:01:51 · answer #8 · answered by Glenn S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
from monkeys
2007-12-27 05:00:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋