Chimpanzees are thought to be the closest living relatives to humans, as they have a similar genetic blueprint, sharing nearly 99 percent of DNA and a common ancestor (the African ape). According to new research published in the National Primatology journal, studies have identified regions of the human genome that have changed the most since chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes) and humans (Homo Sapiens) have evolved.
The recent study conducted by Primatologist Vanessa Mayor and her team of researchers from the University of Cornwall, has provided vital insights into how chimpanzees and humans can differ so profoundly, yet have nearly an identical DNA blueprint.
To understand the small percentage of difference in DNA, an experiment was carried out …show more content…
DNA is the carrier of each individual’s genetic information, and is passed down from generation to generation. The DNA is received from both the male and female and certain genes are inherited depending on what the parents are carriers of. It is understood that a gene carrier inherits one copy of an intact, dominate gene and one copy of a mutated gene and does not have the trait itself. If both parents have chromosomes that are carriers of a specific gene then the offspring will inherit the trait. ‘We believe that a dominate male African Ape and a female African Ape from an opposing tribe were both carriers of the single gene and therefore produced offspring with the gene. This resulted in offspring with differences in genotype from the other ape species’ says Mayor. When these offspring reproduced, it resulted in more apes with the gene which over time, evolved into humans. ‘However, Apes are still present because their environment has encouraged the reproductive success of individuals with different genetic material than ours’ says Miller. It can be said that this is the reason why there is still a variation of primate species known …show more content…
While humans and chimpanzees have many similar characteristics, the slight difference in the DNA between the two is the result of that one gene (MH03) found only in humans. This gene is the reason why humans are profoundly different from any other animal species found on Earth.
‘The next phase of our research will be to determine whether this gene is just one of a large number of genetic changes that makes human intelligence so primarily unique or does environment, social skills and our ability to problem solve act as a contributing factor’ says
The recent study conducted by Primatologist Vanessa Mayor and her team of researchers from the University of Cornwall, has provided vital insights into how chimpanzees and humans can differ so profoundly, yet have nearly an identical DNA blueprint.
To understand the small percentage of difference in DNA, an experiment was carried out …show more content…
DNA is the carrier of each individual’s genetic information, and is passed down from generation to generation. The DNA is received from both the male and female and certain genes are inherited depending on what the parents are carriers of. It is understood that a gene carrier inherits one copy of an intact, dominate gene and one copy of a mutated gene and does not have the trait itself. If both parents have chromosomes that are carriers of a specific gene then the offspring will inherit the trait. ‘We believe that a dominate male African Ape and a female African Ape from an opposing tribe were both carriers of the single gene and therefore produced offspring with the gene. This resulted in offspring with differences in genotype from the other ape species’ says Mayor. When these offspring reproduced, it resulted in more apes with the gene which over time, evolved into humans. ‘However, Apes are still present because their environment has encouraged the reproductive success of individuals with different genetic material than ours’ says Miller. It can be said that this is the reason why there is still a variation of primate species known …show more content…
While humans and chimpanzees have many similar characteristics, the slight difference in the DNA between the two is the result of that one gene (MH03) found only in humans. This gene is the reason why humans are profoundly different from any other animal species found on Earth.
‘The next phase of our research will be to determine whether this gene is just one of a large number of genetic changes that makes human intelligence so primarily unique or does environment, social skills and our ability to problem solve act as a contributing factor’ says