Homo Aquaticus?
I. Introduction
When the human brain is compared with the brains of apes there are several
obvious differences; the centers for the sense of smell and foot control are
larger in apes than in humans, but the centers for hand control, airway control,
vocalization, language and thought are larger in humans. In my paper, I will
describe the most defined differences of brain size and centers between humans
and their closest relatives, chimpanzees, to compare them with other mammals and
to draw conclusions about the evolution history of humans.
II. Brain Evolution
Humans and chimpanzees are biochemically (DNA) and therefore probably
phylogenetically (evolution ...
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the
cerebral cortex), for instance is over three times larger than in chimps, even
though chimps and humans are pretty close to equal in body weight.
Each side of the brain is diveded by the central sulces into independant
halves. Just before the central sulcus lies the post-central cortex, where the
opposite body half (right side for left brain, left side for right brain). Just
in front of the central sulcus lies the pre-central cortex where the information
for the voluntary movements leave tthe brain. The pre-central area is called
primary motor cortex, and also "Area 4" in primates.
III. Human and Chimp Cortex Differences
In humans Area 4 is almost twice as large as it is in chimpanzees. The
part of Area 4 that commands the movement of the leg, foot and toes is smaller
in humans than apes. This leaves more room for the part that controls the hand,
fingers and thumb. Even bigger is the lower part of human Area 4, related to
the mouth and ...
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didn't develop these abilities.
The solution may lie in the aquatic theory of human evolution, the theory
that explains why humans don't have fur, and why we have excess fat, and many
other human features.(4) There are indications that the early hominoids
(ancestors to man and ape) lived in mangrove or gallery forests(5), where they
adapted to a behavior like proboscis monkeys, climbing and hanging in mangrove
trees, wading into water and swimming on the surface. In my opinion human
ancestors, split from chimpazees and other apes and, instead of staying in
forests like chimps, progressed with their water skills, like diving and
collecting seaweed, then adapted to waders in shallow ...
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"Homo Aquaticus?." Essayworld.com. February 1, 2008. Accessed April 25, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Homo-Aquaticus/78378.
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