How often people thoughtlessly repeat: “Well, you and the animal!” But is it really so or not? Are there similarities between humans and animals? Let's try to comprehensively consider this issue and understand the facts.
Similarity at the cellular level
Scientists have long been gathering evidence that humans and animals are of the same origin. The main evidence of kinship is the similarity of all living things at the cellular level. To begin with, all organisms are in principle built from cells.
In fact, each of them consists of the same elements and has the same proteins and nucleic acids.
Signs of the similarity between humans and animals are especially striking when looking at the species that have risen highest on the evolutionary ladder. So, for example, found a huge similarity in the composition of human DNA and primates. With macaque, the coincidence was 66%, but with chimpanzees - 92%.
However, such a high percentage of coincidence in DNA does not in fact make humans and chimpanzees completely identical. The primate has two more chromosomes. And man, unlike chimpanzees, has much less genetic variation.
Similarities and differences in structure
The similarity of people and animals can be traced already at the level of tissue structure. Organs mainly consist of many of its layers, having an anatomical connection. Homo sapiens and representatives of the fauna have similar organs, and at a high stage of evolution - similar parts of the body. In addition, they have a physiological connection between the tissues of the organs, which is responsible for the overall functionality of the body.
The similarities between the skeleton of man and animal are well traced. In mammals and humans, it has the same departments - consists of the head, body, upper and lower extremities.
This is especially noticeable when compared with a monkey. Both hands are capable of freely compressing and expanding. There is identity in contrasting the thumb - it is as if apart from the other four. The obvious similarity of the brush can be attributed to the presence of nails.
Considering the structure of the human and animal skeleton as an example of primacy, note the similarity of the shoulder girdle and the strong development of the clavicles, allowing you to perform complex movements with your hands.
Continuing the study, scientists examined the human skull and primate. Here, too, there are common features. It is about the size and arrangement of the eyes.
The similarities and differences between humans and animals are manifested in the presence of vestigial organs. Examples are the appendix, epicanthus (third eyelid), and tailbone. In animals, these organs have well-defined functions, and humans do not actually need them. But their presence is related to homo sapiens with representatives of the animal world.
A very important difference is upright posture. The muscles of the legs of a person are highly developed, and his spine has several bends, which makes it possible to vertically position the body when walking. Internal organs are supported thanks to the special position of the pelvis, and the foot has a vault that facilitates walking.
A chimpanzee also often gets to its feet and moves vertically. However, for these animals, movement on 4 legs is preferable. When trying to do this on two legs, the body of the animal is tilted forward, and the pelvis does not support the internal organs.
Determining the similarities and differences between humans and animals, it is worth noting that in primates the structure of the foot is arranged differently. In addition to the high arch, a man has 5 fingers located in front, while the chimpanzee has a large toe protruding. This allows the animal to hold on toes, climb trees well and move diagonally.
The similarity of people and animals - the size and development of the brain
The brain of a person and an animal has not only a different volume, but also a different organization structure. Its surface area in homo sapiens is larger than, for example, in chimpanzees. Accordingly, in humans there is a greater number of convolutions, which means that the connections between the parts of the brain are higher.
The frontal lobe in the human brain has a larger volume than that of the primate, and this allows the first to have abstract thinking and logic.
Intrauterine development
Here you can trace the clear similarities between people and animals. Both of these subjects begin development from a fertilized egg. Rapid cell division forms organs and tissues, and the appearance of the human embryo is very similar to the embryos of other animals. For example, the embryo has the beginnings of gill slits (fish legacy). He has a cesspool (legacy of egg-laying). The tail section is noticeable for a long time.
Even the brain of a human embryo goes through several stages of development. Initially, it consists of several bubbles, which closely resembles the brain of a fish. In the process of development, the cerebral hemispheres enlarge, and meanders appear on their cortex.
Language, speech
Virtually all animals have a language that is understandable within the species. And only a person has well-developed speech. Representatives of the fauna are characterized by communication using gestures. In human communication, they also play a large role - they help to perceive speech information, but do not completely replace it.
The oral communication of animals consists mainly of screams, characteristic sounds, hissing and vocals. Human vocal cords are much more complex, which allows you to play more sounds, and the development of the brain makes it possible to put them in a coherent speech.
Thanks to his mastery of speech, homo sapiens has developed tongue and lips and a protruding chin. Most of his labial muscles are fixed on the lower jaw under the chin. The animal closest in development to humans - a chimpanzee - has a sloping chin, because it simply does not have most labial muscles.
Facial expressions
People have a clear resemblance in expressing emotions and facial expressions with primates. Facial expressions and gestures for the representative of the fauna are a large part of communication. Speech is more significant for a person, but emotions also play a big role.
There is a difference in the expression of joy in an animal and in a person who shows his teeth smiling. For the animal, this serves as an expression of aggression and a demonstration of strength.
Socialization
An important role in determining the similarities and differences between humans and animals is played by socialization. Many animals live in packs and communities. If you watch the family of monkeys, you can see that they care for each other, show affection and play with each other or with offspring. For chimpanzees, for example, friendships are characteristic, they look after friends' hair and spend a lot of time together.
A person spends a lot of time communicating, but communicates more verbally than by touch.
Primates create social groups that can include up to 50 close friends. People tend to have a wider circle of acquaintances. His group can include up to 200 friends. These figures reflect the correspondence of the size of the brain in the compared.
Labor and tools
Almost all animals are engaged in creative activities . However, only a person can create complex tools and plan their actions. In addition, he is able to quickly change plans depending on the circumstances.
For animals, only simple tools are available. A monkey, for example, is able to use a stick or stone.
In addition, a person shares his activities by age and gender. Males and females of animals can also perform different tasks, but most often the right of the strong is triggered.
Use of fire
Scientists are sure that human development has greatly spurred the receipt and use of fire. It is this factor that allowed homo sapiens to stand out from the natural environment. Fire allowed to process food and not depend on the deterioration of the climate. A man began to actively engage in agriculture, as he learned to maintain a crop. In addition, the total population of the Earth has increased.
For animals, this skill remains unavailable. They see a threat in fire and perceive it as an enemy.
Religion
Having developed and received many useful skills, a person did not want to consider himself a representative of the animal world anymore. It was much more pleasant to invent higher powers and believe in their origin. The timid remarks of scientists about the likeness of people and animals began to be suppressed. But the facts are inexorable - we can falsify or ignore them, but we can’t change them.
Now you know how the similarities between humans and animals are manifested, you also know about the differences between them. There is a great power in evolution that has allowed us to become intelligent. Most importantly, use your mind for good.
Examining the similarities and differences between humans and animals, we can conclude: homo sapiens has a huge number of factors that distinguish it from fauna, but at the same time, similarity (especially with primates) gives a clear picture that nature at the initial stage of evolution them identical makings.