Man is a typical representative of the Animal Kingdom. It is characterized by certain structural features, systematic position and features of life. In our article, we will consider what is characteristic of both man and animal, and what features significantly distinguish them.
The position of man in the system of the organic world
Back in the Middle Ages, scientists dared to believe that man belongs to the animal world. The further development of evolutionary ideas about the development of all living things only confirmed this assumption. Currently, humans are classified as Homo sapiens. The common ancestor of man lived about 130 thousand years ago and as a result of the development of labor activity and primary forms of society gave rise to a modern look.
Animal needs
The biological needs of animals determine the features of their structure. These include the presence of oxygen, nutrients, a certain amount of water. This makes it possible to exercise nutrition, aerobic respiration, active movement and metabolism. All animals also need rest and sleep. The main sign that determines the body's belonging to this kingdom is a heterotrophic way of eating. Animals are able to consume only prepared organic substances. Unlike plants that can synthesize them themselves. Animals and humans grow only a certain period of time.
Animals of different habitats are adapted to certain conditions. For example, moles need less sunlight than land dwellers. And bats use echolocation for orientation in the dark. Therefore, the need for lighting is significantly reduced.
What is characteristic of both man and animal
What signs are related to all representatives of the animal world, including humans? This is the chemical composition, cell structure, a similar structure of organs and their systems, embryonic development. In many ways, the features of behavior are similar. This leads to a high level of brain development, which is characteristic of both man and animal, in particular primates. At the same time, the developed occipital part determines the development of the visual sensory system. This greatly increases the ability to work. And the development of the frontal lobes determines mental activity.
Both humans and animals have a system of innate reflexes since birth. These include respiratory, protective, grasping, sucking, blinking and others. From the first minute of birth, they make it possible to carry out vital processes and the existence of species in general.
Instinct: examples and meaning
The system of innate reflexes, which forms the whole system of behavior, is called instinct. Their presence is a common sign for both animals and humans. Instincts are an innate property of their nervous system. Of course, many skills are acquired from older generations. However, most instincts are inherent in birth. Seasonal migration of birds, the construction of a beaver dam, the creation of nests - all this is an instinct. These examples are quite numerous. Food extraction, reproduction, and self-preservation ability are typical behavior programs that ensure the viability of species from the first minutes of existence.
Absolutely all instincts are species. They are fixed in the genotype, therefore, do not depend on the acquired experience and habitat. For humans, they are also the basis of behavior. You must admit that the struggle for existence takes place both in a pack of wolves and in a work collective.
Man as a biosocial creature
However, in addition to the biological basis, man also has a social one, which distinguishes him from other animals. It is determined by life in society and its submission to laws. Man is able to control his innate instincts. So, at the heart of procreation is the idea of creating a family and - in most cases - monogamous relationships. Man is also distinguished by abstract thinking, conscious actions, the ability to create a new environment. Another feature is articulate speech. A person does not just make sounds, but does it meaningfully, expressing his thoughts. The species Homo sapiens is also capable of labor activity. In this regard, his representatives have a number of structural features. For example, the thumb of the hand is opposed to the rest.
So, in our article, we examined what is characteristic of both man and animal. Common features are the chemical composition of cells, the ability to heterotrophic nutrition, the unity of physiological processes. The behavior of humans and animals is determined by unconditioned reflexes. They ensure their viability immediately after birth. A common feature is the presence of complex behavior programs - instincts.