Genetic Differences: Similarities Between Us And Chimpanzees

The chimpanzee is one of the most fascinating mammals in the animal kingdom, for many of its distinct characteristics, but the main reason is the similarities it has to humans and our behaviors. The genetic blueprints of humans to chimpanzees show our closest living relatives share nearly ninety-nine percent of our DNA sequence. But despite the many similarities between the human genome and the chimp genome, researchers have emphasized the important differences between the two. The difference between us and chimpanzees is one percent, or roughly 15 million bases in our DNA sequence that evolved to separate us from being chimps. Over time there were genetic mutations that shifted our DNA sequence; these mutations did not harm or benefit us in any way. The genetic

The FOXP2 gene sequence is involved in the development of speech, it helps us to enunciate words properly. People who have mutations in the gene cannot make the correct facial movements needed for normal human speech. Alterations of where and when the FOXP2 gene is produced could explain the complexity of the human language. ASPM (Abnormal Spindle-like Microcephaly Associated) is a gene that controls brain size. A mutation in the ASPM gene leads to a condition known as microcephaly which causes a reduced brain size that normally is around 70% less than the average brain. The ASPM gene encodes protein that are necessary in the development of neuroblasts, which has a direct influence on the number of neurons in the brain. Both of these genes help us to have a better understanding of what makes us different from chimpanzees. If a mutation in this gene happens, the individual has a problem. The main difference between the two is, one involves a function in the brain (FOXP2) and the other involves brain size (ASPM) . Due to positive selection both of these genes have evolved in humans, although they evolved at different