Evolution of the human race (Essay Sample)

Evolution of the human race
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Institution
Evolution of the Human Race
Many archaeologists in conjunction with scientists have tried to describe and discover the origin of human beings. Several questions remain pending with no accurate answer; where did man come from. From what did we evolve? These are some of the questions that remain unanswered and without proof. From studies made and research done by various people such as Charles Darwin, the man is said to have evolved from apes. Over the years, through natural selection, survival for the fittest and adaptation man has been able to develop and evolve into what is seen today. In many ways, it is rather hard for us to imagine that, at some point in life, ancestors were solely hunters and gatherers, they lived in caves, and that there was no significant settlement instead they moved around the globe in search of food.
An extra determinant of human evolution is the loss of wisdom teeth. According to Nardo (2005), former ancestors had jaws bigger than current human species. This helped them in chewing tough diets comprising nuts, roots and leaves. The meat they ate was torn apart with their teeth, which weakened the teeth. The wisdom teeth were molars, which were found to be an evolutionary answer, which helped, accommodate the eating habits of our ancestors. In the current times, food is cut using utensils and the meals are softer and easier to chew. The meals are also softer and chewable and thus the human jaws are significantly smaller. The wisdom teeth have become vestigial organs similar to the appendix since there is no room for them.
Researchers prove the fact that humans still drink milk is among one of the determinants that evolution still takes place (Hawks, 2011). Historically, there was a shutdown in the genes, which regulated the ability of humans to digest lactose after they were detached from their mother’s breast milk. When humans domesticated cows, sheep, goats, and they began to drink milk, those with genetic mutations, which allowed them to digest lactose, were able to multiply their genes. Studies reveal that the tolerance for lactose was still developing over 30 centuries ago in East Africa. The genetic mutation, which helps digest milk, is now in more than 90 percent of European descendants (Bandit, 2006).
Hawks (2012), in his study further reveals more findings to support the continuity of human evolution. One of the unrivaled examples is a study in evolution conducted in 2007, where the researchers discovered 1,800 genes which have become prevalent in the last forty centuries and are dedicated to fighting infectious diseases such as malaria. The disease targets humans early in life and due to this; strong pressure was exerted to evolve defenses against malaria. A variety of examples have come up showing defenses against malaria. Sickle Cell anemia is the most common known where this disorder deforms red blood cells into sickle shapes. These can impair blood flow and bring damages to the tissues. This defect prevents the parasi...