Depending on who you ask, humans and chimps share 96 to 99 percent of genes. Yet we look staggeringly different. Or do we? Since genes alter our traits, we would expect organisms with so much of their genome identical, also look similar, right? Well, yes, but no. Let's initially put aside the fact that we might not be so different from chimps after all. We indeed are … [Read more...] about Why humans and chimps look different if 99% of their genes are identical?
Chromosome fusion: Why humans have fewer chromosomes than chimps
You may have heard that we humans have 23 chromosome pairs, whereas our closest neighbors chimpanzees have 24 — one pair more. Do we have to worry that humans have fewer chromosomes than chimps do? What is the function of those extra chromosomes that chimps need and we don't? Let's find out. In reality, while we have fewer chromosomes, it does not mean we have less … [Read more...] about Chromosome fusion: Why humans have fewer chromosomes than chimps
How caffeine makes us feel energized
Coffee is a wonderful drink that works magic on our bodies and also positively affects some pollinators. When it first arrived in Europe, its popularity spread like wildfire, and Europeans rapidly switched from being heavy alcohol abusers to being caffeine abusers. While any kind of substance abuse is not ideal, a society jazzed up on stimulating caffeine instead of depressing … [Read more...] about How caffeine makes us feel energized
How do new species evolve through isolation
Even if you understand the basics of evolution, the way in which new species evolve can remain a mystery. It's easy to imagine how the length of a hummingbird's beak increases through generations. It's also possible to understand how, over millions of years, apes could turn into humans. But how could this lead to a diversity of species? It is estimated that more than … [Read more...] about How do new species evolve through isolation
Why natural lifestyle isn’t necessarily the best for you
“Avoid gluten in your diet, because our ancestors did not eat it, and neither should you!” “Rub your face with mud; early humans literally lived in it.” Similar statements are trendy as more people follow the seemingly reasonable logic that natural things are good and unnatural things are not. “Why do I need to brush my cat’s teeth? Have you seen a tiger flossing in … [Read more...] about Why natural lifestyle isn’t necessarily the best for you
If humans evolved from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?
If evolution is true and we really did evolve from monkeys, why the hell are they still here? Similar questions have been among the most common ones asked of biologists for decades. If you ask Google, you will find millions of responses, yet people still seem to demand new and clearer answers. The question gets repeated in different forms: Why are there still chimps (or … [Read more...] about If humans evolved from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?