Similarities Between Humans And Primates

The major point discussed in Section 3 was the distinctions between humans and other species like primates or Neanderthals, but also the similarities between them which in turn shows the relation and evolution. Some evidence of the major point mentioned above is the gene apoE. This gene that both primates and humans have has been mutated twice in humans so that we could eat more meat and also break down fat and cholesterol in meat that would otherwise clog our arteries. While humans are able to eat more meat because of the mutations of the apoE gene, most primates “deteriorate at sickening speeds” after eating much meat according to what Kean says on page 205. This shows a distinction between humans and primates because of evolution. On the other hand, another gene is the fox2p gene which all mammals have. This gene is described as a “language gene”. However as it states on page 252, “… fox2p has a long reach, interacting with hundreds of genes and steering fetal development in the jaw, gut, lungs, heart, and especially the brain.” This gene described is not only important but it shows the

Some pregnant women in Manhattan developed post-traumatic stress disorder, which can epigenetically activate and deactivate at least a dozen genes, including brain genes. These women, especially the ones affected during the third trimester, ended up having children who felt more anxiety and acute distress than other children when confronted with strange stimuli.” This piece of information helped me determine the major point of this section because it described the limitations of DNA. This is an example of how the environment can affect how people develop. In this case, it wasn’t the product of hereditary that caused these babies to have anxiety. The attacks on September 11th that their mother’s experienced are the source of their anxiety and