Did You Know - Evolution

by Nathaniel G

Around 550 million years ago, Homo Sapiens had a common ancestor with a rod-like sea animal called the Lancelet. Lancelets are passive filter feeders, living half-buried in sand. They provide evolutionary insight into the origins of vertebrates. 

The human brain is getting smaller due to evolution. According to scientists, our brain started getting smaller around 20,000 years ago. There is a direct relationship between our brain size and our body size. 

Birds evolved from dinosaurs, probably around 160 million years ago. It is thought that this happened when the small therapod dinosaurs moved into the trees, probably either for food or protection. 

The wings of penguins evolved into flippers. This is because they gradually became better swimmers than fliers. 

Cartoon from 1871 satirising
Darwin's theory of Evolution.

On a cheerful note, some scientists predict a 20% chance of a “catastrophe” (of any kind), and a 6% chance of human extinction, by 2100.

Some other scientists predict that in the year 3000 humans will have a larger skull but, at the same time, a very small brain. If humans survive the extinction that is.

You are actually less than half human, About 43% to be precise. This much of your body is made up of human cells, while the rest is a mix of bacteria, viruses and fungi that combine to make your microbiome.

4 out of 10 Americans don't believe evolution actually exists.

The Homo Sapiens is the 15th species of Hominid. Human evolution depends on differences in our genes and our ability to pass on these genetic differences. 

Some recent research show that many teenagers now have over-developed thumbs due to playing lots of video games. This may be true but as it is due to muscular use rather than genetic it will not be passed on to the next generation.