Chimpanzees And Homo Sapiens Similarities
Homo Sapiens are members of the family Hominidae, as well as Chimpanzees, Orangutans and Gorillas. Out of this Hominidae classification, it is thought that the closest relative to the Homo Sapien is the Chimpanzee, both possessing the same common ancestor. This is due to large similarities between the two species. Although there is a large amount of similarities, the differences between Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens are what defines each species as their own. In this paper I am going to focus on the differences anatomically, physiologically and genetically to provide a better understanding of the unique qualities in each species. Anatomical, physiological and genetic differentiations are the foundation of this paper, as it allows for a multidimensional
…show more content…
comparison between the two species.
Anatomical Differentiations
By analyzing the gross anatomy of the Chimpanzee and Homo Sapien species, it is clear there are many differences present. Some of these include, length and growth rates of limb structure, the axial span of the articular process, and the surface area of the cranial endplate. Chimpanzees are anatomically built for brachiating, whereas Homo Sapiens are structures for bipedal locomotion. This is represented anatomically by the length in which the humerus and femur compare, as well as the growth rates of each. Chimpanzees have a very quick humeral growth rate, and have a longer humerus in a shorter amount of time than the Homo Sapien. This is required because a Chimpanzees primary mode of locomotion requires long, strong limbs. If this was not developed at a fast rate, that would render the Chimpanzee vulnerable to predators and natural habitat due to the inhibition of locomotion. Chimpanzees, like humans are physically capable of bipedalism, although not the primary mode of locomotion, so both species have a similar femoral growth rate. The Chimpanzee although, has a similar growth rate as the Homo Sapien, does not possess the same growth period duration. This demonstrates a smaller ratio of femoral length-to-body than that of a Homo Sapien (Sarringhaus.2015). Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens, along with many other mammals, possess an articular process. The axial span and location of the articular process however, separates the Homo Sapien vertebrate structure from Chimpanzees. In Homo Sapiens, a longer axial span of the articular processes will be found in the lumbar-sacral vertebrae. This allows for torsion, a common, and necessary movement of the Homo Sapien body (Boszczyk 2001). Chimpanzees are not structured for torsion, and thus have a larger axial span of their articular processes in the thoratic section of the vertebrae. Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens also possess a cranial endplate. Homosapiens however have a larger surface area due to an increased transverse diameter present in comparison to Chimpanzees. This allows the Homo Sapien to locomote bipedally more efficiently as it aids in axial loading (Boszczyk 2001).
Physiological Differentiations
Motion is very unique between these two species, as both locomote using different techniques, Chimpanzee brachiate while Homo Sapiens use bipedalism. This is one of the many physiological differentiations present between the species. One difference physiologically is the structure and requirements of the ankle joints. Chimpanzees rely on their range of motion in their ankles for grasping, and balancing. In the “Journal of Anatomy,” written by Holowka, the focal point of this paper was to document a study based on Chimpanzee’s ankle joint range of motion. It was found that there is a large range of motion in the Chimpanzees ankle when compared to that of a Homo Sapien. This directly related to the different uses of the limb. Homo Sapiens require ankles mainly for bipedalism, Chimpanzees however have multiple uses for their feet. Chimpanzees use their feet for grasping branches, occasionally grasping food, and for balance on extremely uneven terrain, therefore require a larger range of motion to perform these tasks (Holowka 2013). Another physiological differentiation is the cognitive processes of social learning. Chimpanzees undergo what is called “education by master apprentice,” which is based off three main ideas. The first concept is prolonged exposure to the mother based on a mother infant bond. Secondly, there must be no direct teachings from the mother, while lastly the infant must have motivation to copy its mother’s actions. This is different from Homo Sapien social learning as they are directly taught what is right from wrong and how to survive on their own. Even though Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens are genetically similar does not guarantee the same form of cognitive development (Matsuzawa, 2007).
Genetic Differentiations
Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens share 99.4 % of DNA, making them the closest related species, with 99.4 % nonsynonymous cites, and 98.4% at synonymous cites (Wildman, 2003).
Although there is a close genetic relationship between the two species, the proteins that are not the same, cause a large difference between the two species. Those DNA sequences that do not match are what is responsible for the primitive behaviours of the chimpanzee. These would include cognitive development, as well as anatomical and physiological development. Another genetic differentiation between Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens is that Chimpanzees possess more genetic variation than Homo Sapiens, and possess more cranial diversification between the species. This is due to the vast amounts of chimpanzee classes and subclasses in comparison to Homo Sapian sub classes (Weaver, 2014). Homo Sapiens and Chimpanzees also have phenotype divergence. This is why Homo Sapiens do not appear like Chimpanzees. This form of divergence is thought to be due to lineage along with species specific genome changes. Due to divergence, differences in gene expression as well as gains, losses, and changes of the functional properties of the proteins occur. By using the differences between the Homo Sapien and Chimpanzee DNA it allows scientists to further understand evolutionary changes that has occurred thus aiding in the knowledge gained about our evolutionary
history.
Conclusion
Chimpanzee and Homo Sapien species have a lot of differences as demonstrated in this paper, both physically and mentally. Instead of focussing on how similar two species are, it can be more beneficial to analyze and educate others on what makes that species unique. If scientists focused on similarities between Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens alone, there would be a lot less knowledge about the evolutionary history of mankind. Providing information regarding differences between Chimpanzees and humans also allowed for the realization at how powerful a genetic differentiation of 0.6% could be. By looking at a Chimpanzee and understanding that genetically speaking Homo Sapiens are 99.4% similar, it allows for a visual representation of how much of an effect a few changes in proteins can have on species alike. The foundation of this paper, was to provide a multidimensional comparison between two similar species. The intention was to provide education on a topic from a different point of view to allow for a thorough understanding and appreciation of genetic variations.
comparison between the two species.
Anatomical Differentiations
By analyzing the gross anatomy of the Chimpanzee and Homo Sapien species, it is clear there are many differences present. Some of these include, length and growth rates of limb structure, the axial span of the articular process, and the surface area of the cranial endplate. Chimpanzees are anatomically built for brachiating, whereas Homo Sapiens are structures for bipedal locomotion. This is represented anatomically by the length in which the humerus and femur compare, as well as the growth rates of each. Chimpanzees have a very quick humeral growth rate, and have a longer humerus in a shorter amount of time than the Homo Sapien. This is required because a Chimpanzees primary mode of locomotion requires long, strong limbs. If this was not developed at a fast rate, that would render the Chimpanzee vulnerable to predators and natural habitat due to the inhibition of locomotion. Chimpanzees, like humans are physically capable of bipedalism, although not the primary mode of locomotion, so both species have a similar femoral growth rate. The Chimpanzee although, has a similar growth rate as the Homo Sapien, does not possess the same growth period duration. This demonstrates a smaller ratio of femoral length-to-body than that of a Homo Sapien (Sarringhaus.2015). Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens, along with many other mammals, possess an articular process. The axial span and location of the articular process however, separates the Homo Sapien vertebrate structure from Chimpanzees. In Homo Sapiens, a longer axial span of the articular processes will be found in the lumbar-sacral vertebrae. This allows for torsion, a common, and necessary movement of the Homo Sapien body (Boszczyk 2001). Chimpanzees are not structured for torsion, and thus have a larger axial span of their articular processes in the thoratic section of the vertebrae. Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens also possess a cranial endplate. Homosapiens however have a larger surface area due to an increased transverse diameter present in comparison to Chimpanzees. This allows the Homo Sapien to locomote bipedally more efficiently as it aids in axial loading (Boszczyk 2001).
Physiological Differentiations
Motion is very unique between these two species, as both locomote using different techniques, Chimpanzee brachiate while Homo Sapiens use bipedalism. This is one of the many physiological differentiations present between the species. One difference physiologically is the structure and requirements of the ankle joints. Chimpanzees rely on their range of motion in their ankles for grasping, and balancing. In the “Journal of Anatomy,” written by Holowka, the focal point of this paper was to document a study based on Chimpanzee’s ankle joint range of motion. It was found that there is a large range of motion in the Chimpanzees ankle when compared to that of a Homo Sapien. This directly related to the different uses of the limb. Homo Sapiens require ankles mainly for bipedalism, Chimpanzees however have multiple uses for their feet. Chimpanzees use their feet for grasping branches, occasionally grasping food, and for balance on extremely uneven terrain, therefore require a larger range of motion to perform these tasks (Holowka 2013). Another physiological differentiation is the cognitive processes of social learning. Chimpanzees undergo what is called “education by master apprentice,” which is based off three main ideas. The first concept is prolonged exposure to the mother based on a mother infant bond. Secondly, there must be no direct teachings from the mother, while lastly the infant must have motivation to copy its mother’s actions. This is different from Homo Sapien social learning as they are directly taught what is right from wrong and how to survive on their own. Even though Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens are genetically similar does not guarantee the same form of cognitive development (Matsuzawa, 2007).
Genetic Differentiations
Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens share 99.4 % of DNA, making them the closest related species, with 99.4 % nonsynonymous cites, and 98.4% at synonymous cites (Wildman, 2003).
Although there is a close genetic relationship between the two species, the proteins that are not the same, cause a large difference between the two species. Those DNA sequences that do not match are what is responsible for the primitive behaviours of the chimpanzee. These would include cognitive development, as well as anatomical and physiological development. Another genetic differentiation between Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens is that Chimpanzees possess more genetic variation than Homo Sapiens, and possess more cranial diversification between the species. This is due to the vast amounts of chimpanzee classes and subclasses in comparison to Homo Sapian sub classes (Weaver, 2014). Homo Sapiens and Chimpanzees also have phenotype divergence. This is why Homo Sapiens do not appear like Chimpanzees. This form of divergence is thought to be due to lineage along with species specific genome changes. Due to divergence, differences in gene expression as well as gains, losses, and changes of the functional properties of the proteins occur. By using the differences between the Homo Sapien and Chimpanzee DNA it allows scientists to further understand evolutionary changes that has occurred thus aiding in the knowledge gained about our evolutionary
history.
Conclusion
Chimpanzee and Homo Sapien species have a lot of differences as demonstrated in this paper, both physically and mentally. Instead of focussing on how similar two species are, it can be more beneficial to analyze and educate others on what makes that species unique. If scientists focused on similarities between Chimpanzees and Homo Sapiens alone, there would be a lot less knowledge about the evolutionary history of mankind. Providing information regarding differences between Chimpanzees and humans also allowed for the realization at how powerful a genetic differentiation of 0.6% could be. By looking at a Chimpanzee and understanding that genetically speaking Homo Sapiens are 99.4% similar, it allows for a visual representation of how much of an effect a few changes in proteins can have on species alike. The foundation of this paper, was to provide a multidimensional comparison between two similar species. The intention was to provide education on a topic from a different point of view to allow for a thorough understanding and appreciation of genetic variations.