(Find this image here)

Evolution is a complicated process, but it basically happens like this. When one species separates into two groups and eventually turn into two different species is what is called speciation. As these two groups acquire different traits from each other, they are going through what is called natural selection which they go through in order to adapt so they would be best fit to live in their environment. When these two groups have finally become different species, they have evolved. A perfect example of this is from looking at a certain kind of bird that has two different kinds of traits. One group of this bird lives in the west and is white. The other group of this bird lives in the east and is black. Right now, they are a part of the same species, but since they do not mate with each other and live in different locations, they will eventually become two different species because they will be passing different kinds of traits on to their offspring.

(This image gives an explanation to natural selection. Find it here)

This is what happened with humans and chimps. What I want to know is if humans and chimps evolved from the same species, why did humans become so much smarter than chimps? A long time ago, humans and chimpanzees were the same species. Lets call this species A. It is likely that species A had more chimp like traits than human like traits. Nobody knows for sure, but it is probable that the reason why humans have become so much smarter than chimps is because humans have had more changes in traits from species A than chimps have. It is likely that when species A was separated, the group that evolved into chimps did not move to a highly different environment from where they already lived and the group that became humans moved far away and they were required to have bigger brains in order to survive in their new environment.

Sources:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0831_050831_chimp_genes.html

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-c018.html

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=what-makes-us-human

http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/N/natselect.html

It has long been asked if there is such thing as an Addictive Personality. As you’ve grown up perhaps you’ve noticed some of your friends have become dependent on substances like caffeine or nicotine. But is this just a personality trait, or something more? Research has shown that it could be rooted in one’s DNA. According to research done at the University of Utah, an ‘addiction gene’ wouldn’t mean that someone is bound to become addicted, but rather “it may be harder for people with certain genes to quit once they start.”  

In recent studies, and Alcoholic gene, DRD2, “was present in more than two-thirds of 35 deceased alcoholics, whereas it appeared only in one-fifth of 35 deceased non-alcoholics.” This confirms that if a parent is an alcoholic, it is more likely for their children to be alcoholics as well.  According to Web MD, the genetic trait is considered a deficiency. It seems to have no contributing factor to our species survival. Additionally no scientist has presented a strong theory on why the gene developed in the first place, beside it being a random genetic mutation.

 In the same way that the 'Fat Gene' shouldn't be a scapegoat for obesity, the 'Addiction Gene' shouldn't allow the addicted to use this as an excuse for their condition. There is, of course, no cure for our own genes. The only thing that can be done is to avoid easily abused substances in the first place.

Venom itself also evolved, its toxins and proteins being reborn from other proteins in tissues throughout the snake’s body. snake-venom toxins were derived originally from proteins in the brain, eye, lung, heart, liver, muscle, mammary gland, ovary and testis. By tweaking the proteins from other body tissues, snakes developed a way to create more specific and highly potent toxins.

Venom is still evolving today in medicine, having a beneficial effect on the body. For example, some poisons reduce blood pressure so quickly that the victim dies. But by changing and reproducing some components in venom, scientists can make a drug that reduces blood pressure.

If humans were evolved from monkeys, why don't we have more similar physical characteristics? In the diagram of evolution, chimps are the most closely related organism to humans. According to National Geographic, scientist’s found that humans are 96 percent similar to the great ape species. Scientist Frans de Waal at Emory University states, “Darwin wasn't just provocative in saying that we descend from the apes—he didn't go far enough." He also states, "We are apes in every way, from our long arms and tailless bodies to our habits and temperament." Scientists have actual proof of the genetic relationship between human and chimp.

Humans and chimps have a high degree of genetic similarity. Proteins are usually responsible for organism’s anatomical, psychological and behavioral characteristics.

The African Wildlife Foundation informs us that chimpanzees’ use of “sticks to collect ants and termites from their nests, and rocks to smash open nuts” draws a relationship between a human and chimp’s ability use “cognitive thinking to problem solve.” Similarities are drawn also in physical characteristics. The chimpanzee is known to be “Noisy and curious, intelligent and social” just like humans. The percentage of DNA identity between human and chimp is extensive.  However, the percentage is not 100% leaving room for physical distinctiveness between the two organisms.  Humans and chimps have a strong facial resemblance. According to the American Museum of Natural History, humans and chimps descended from the same ancestor species six or seven million years ago. The DNA of both organisms, passed from generations, changed. Many of these DNA changes led to changes in behavioral and physical appearance.

For more information, visit:

1. http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/humanorigins/past/dna.php

2. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0520_030520_chimpanzees.html

3. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/13842/the_similarities_and_differences_between.html

4. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0831_050831_chimp_genes.html

5. http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/chimpanzee

It is said that extinction is a natural occurrence in evolution. Even though this is true, scientist believe that we should still save some species because they are dying before evolution can happen. The extinction of just one species can have a drastic impact on many other species. The only way protecting endangered species could be considered tampering with evolution is by killing species faster than evolution. As said by PBS, “No species exists in a vacuum”, no one species is isolated so every species has an effect on the other.

In today’s society there are many organizations working to save endangered species. These organizations realized that all species play a role in another’s life. If we were to lose a large number of one species there will be no food for the species that feed on them. Which would lead to the death of several species until we are all gone.

Many think of saving endangered species as tampering with evolution as said by Sheila Conant, Professor, and Department of Zoology University of Hawaii.  She believes that the endangerment of species is a natural process. She says this because a majority of the time species becomes endangered because their habitat has inadequate food quality or amount. This lowers the chances of an animal’s reproduction, and survival.

When we move an animal for instance moving polar bears to America because the are endangered that is an example of tampering with evolution because we are removing the species from its natural habitat, which is tinkering with its food, and natural reproduction abilities.

Questions

 - Since we believe animals evolve, why  aren't new species with similar but better characteristics created from evolution before extinction occurs?

- Is it possible to speed up the process of evolution?

- Do species become extinct not just because they can't survive in the present conditions but because they have no chance of survival in the future ?

Sources
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/faq/cat08.html#Q03
http://jhered.oxfordjournals.org/content/101/4/437.abstract
http://www.jstor.org/pss/1310848

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20332163

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/0_0_0/evo_02

           In the 21^st century, many humans wonder why Penguins are so unique.  James Randerson says  " They have a dinner-suit plumage and waddling gait, penguins are among the most unusual and endearing members of the bird kingdom." Something has caused penguins to change.  The scientific community has researched the changes, finding evidence that supports the Penguins evolution. In the beginning, scientists believed that penguins evolved from a flying bird that dated back to 150-million-year-old Archaeopteryx. According to Bnet.com, Ornithologists agree that, "Their closest living relatives appear to be an albatross, the graceful, soaring birds celebrated for their ocean-spanning trips in search of food for their young, says Marcel van Tuinen." Why is it that Penguins can not fly and how have they evolved?

Since the beginning of time, women and men were on two different scales. Women are usually the housekeepers and did not have much say in society. Because they are the housekeepers and produce milk for their young this is an evolutionary basis.

For some animals there are males that produce milk or lactate, just as a woman does. I would consider this an evolutionary basis as well because this is usually something that happens in women. Or what should only happen in women.

Just as human women produce, there are other animals species who are able to produce as well. Although this is true, the reproductive system is different for all. Animals can reproduce more than one child at a time. For example a fish can have multiple babies at one time, but human women can only have one baby at a time or if they or their partner carry the gene, can have twins which isn’t as common in the human population. It’s also different with breastfeeding. There are some male animals who lactate and human men are able to lactate as well.

One of those animals is The Dayak fruit bat is a bat that produces milk, but this is a normal function of the bat. Also there is a male goat that produces milk on occasion. According to an article called Male Lacation by Professor Patty Stuart Macadam. Human men are able to lacate after having a baby suck on the nipple after several weeks. This shows the evolution of the human women role to it being passed on to men.

There are also other male mammals that do not lactate but have the role of the “stay at home,” the Deer Mice is one of these. According to NOVA Online, the Deer Mice guard the young while the other goes out to eat This shows how the roles of the partners can be switched up, for different reasons.

In human society, this is not the case with men. Men cannot reproduce but they are the reasons on why reproduction is possible. It shows how closely related we are with animals but how we are also different.

Further questions:

Why are there mammals that take on the role of the “stay at home” but are not able to lactate?

Why can the Dayak fruit bat lactate but not breast-feed? What is the propose?

Citations:

Comparison, By. "Statistics Bureau." Web. 02 Nov. 2010. <http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/c02cont.htm>.

Shanley, Laura. "Milkmen: Fathers Who Breastfeed." Bornfree! Laura Shanley's Unassisted Childbirth Page. 27 Sept. 2007. Web. 08 Nov. 2010. <http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/miscarticles/milkmen.html>.