Evolution: Misconception or Reality

Essay by crabbxx1College, UndergraduateA, July 2009

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For years scientists have been trying to find where humans have evolved from. Some of the theories have dated back for many years. With all of the theories, there have been some misconceptions and some that could be a reality. Where do scientists think humans have come from? And is our understanding of human ancestry and evolution complete?The theory that most scientists have supported is that humans evolved from apes. Primates have been traced back to around 65 million years ago. Over time, Primates have evolved as their eyes moved closer together allowing stereoscopic vision. Over the course of time Anthropoids started to appear. Scientists have been able to date them back to around 50 million years ago. With the formation of Anthropoids, scientists started to see closer characteristics that resembled humans. Some of the changes are the structure of their teeth, brain, skull, and limbs. The face of most anthropoids also began to change, being somewhat flat.

Anthropoids also have some other similarities like color vision, they are active during the day, and they have a complex social interaction. Anthropoids are comprised of three broad types: (1) the hominids, which include all living and extinct ape and human species, (2) New World monkeys, and (3) Old World Monkeys. The lesser apes, the great apes, and the hominins are all hominids. Hominins include all living and extinct human species, including immediate non-human ancestors. Like humans, the lesser apes and the great apes males way more then the females. Hominins also have been found to be the most intelligent of the hominids. They also are distinguished from the other hominids in that they are bipedal or they walk upright on two legs. In addition, hominins communicate by language and exhibit culture. Culture is a way of life the behaviors, beliefs, values,