Many different theories of human evolution cause people to think one way or another on how humans came about. The process of natural selection can easily be known as one of the most popular ideas that have dominated the beliefs of many people. Having a common ancestor is the act of descent with modification. There are many different species that are classified into groups depending on how they adapt. These groups of mammals have been given certain names depending on the lifestyle in which the species are adapted. These may range from living in water to being airborne, burrowing in the ground, open grassland, predation, and even trees. Cetaceans are the marine mammals. Chiroptera are the mammals that have the ability to fly, mostly known as the bat. Rodentia are the mammals known as the rodents. Ungulata are the mammals that are known as being hoofed. Carnivora are the mammals that are predators. Lastly, the primates are the mammals that are arboreal or live in trees.The common ancestor for humans happens to be those who adapted to living in trees.
Humans are known as mammals. They have an adaptation that makes them survive called the mammary gland. This is an organ that produces milk to breast feed offspring. The word mammal in fact comes from mammary which is interesting enough why the young usually learn their first word as "mamma." All mammals happen to have a chemical that leads to the relationship between a mother and child. This hormone is called oxytocin. They are also all born with mirror neurons. This is when one acts in such a way that they are imitating and also learning from others, usually their parents. It is natural to copy the behavior of those who raises one. Parents are role models even though offspring might not be able to tell that they are trying to be like them due to the fact that it's usually gradual. Being a mammal means having considerate and solicitous care. Without this, they are unlikely to survive.
Along with humans, primates are known as mammals. Their way of life is the meaning of arboreal adaptation. There are a couple of characteristics which helps primates be successful. First is the fact that they have opposable thumbs. This is important becuase it helps them have a precise and powerful grip. Having the ability to grab things is very beneficial especially when eating food. Since primates are arboreal adaptors, their specialty is brachiation. This is a specialized movement in which primates have mobile arms to swing from tree limb to tree limb. Another important characteristic is that primates have binocular vision which both eyes are used simultaneously. Because of this they tend to have great depth perception. It is also important that hand-eye coordination is a result from this as well. Having coordinated control eye movement with hand movement is crucial when surviving as a primate.
Promisiams, monkeys and apes make up the three main groups of primates. In the apes category is where humans are known to have descended from. The closely related mammals in the group include the gibbon, orangutan, gorilla and chimpanzee. Although humans can relate to all, chimpanzees is what humans are most closely related to. They share almost all of their genetic material. Some time really long ago a group of one of these species adapted to life in mixed grass and trees known as a savanna. The explanation for this adaptation has to do with bipedalism.
Bipedalism is the act of moving by the means of two rear legs. This is extremely related to humans due to the fact that humans use their legs to move around. Tool making is a principal characteristic of humans although tool use hasn't been connected to bipedalism. The hand eye coordination of humans' primate ancestors brought the ability to make tools. This helps humans adapt to the changes in surroundings or whatever the circumstances may be. If it weren't for the inherited physical shape, humans wouldn't be able to adapt.
Although there may have been many different routes evolution could have taken to make humans into what they are today, it is safe to say adaptation is the only possible way they get through their lifetimes. The characteristics in which have been inherited from primate ancestors cause humans to adapt in certain manners. Descent with modification will keep playing its role as time goes on.