"Chromosome 2, the second biggest of the human chromosomes, is in fact formed from the fusion of two medium-sized ape chromosomes, as can be seen from the pattern of black bands on the respective chromosomes. Ridley, in this chapter began with describing the discovery of human chromosomes and the issue of people believing that humans have 24 chromosomes, rather than 23 chromosomes. Ridley goes on a explains that "human beings are an ecological success...yet, the remarkable truth is that we come from a long line of failures." He explains that humans were apes that barely survived possible extinction and he also mentioned the different times of the earth and species that thrived on it, such times included the Mesozoic and Cenozoic with organisms such as insects and dinosaurs. Natural selection and evolution was also mentioned as Ripley continues to describe how humans had experienced this "long line of failures." Ripley concludes by stating that simple changes in chromosomes can lead to major alteration on organisms and that "genes are recipes for both anatomy and behaviour."
No comments:
Post a Comment