How similar are humans and chimpanzees

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Physically, again, humans resemble chimpanzees more than any other animal. Our skeletons reveal our close relationship more than our outward appearances, however our skulls and teeth are more different than the bones of our bodies.

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There are several significant attributes that have previously been considered to be unique to humans; our relatively large brains, our bipedal gait and our rich culture. However chimpanzees have been shown to have a culture as rich as ours that is passed down from generation to generation and is different from group to group. Scientists consider this sharing of culture very important when considering the similarities of humans and apes.

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Q.� How do humans and chimpanzees differ

A.� Despite our similarities, humans and chimpanzees are obviously different and there must be some very significant information in the 1.5% of genes that are unique to us. Scientists hope to identify this small number of genes to establish what makes humans human.

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Physically humans have a much larger brain relative to body size, we have distinct profiles, whereas chimpanzees have very flattened faces, we have small canines unlike the prominent ones of chimpanzees and our skeletons are adapted for walking on two legs unlike the chimpanzee that can only walk on its hind legs using its front limbs as a balance, a gait known as ‘knuckle walking’.

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Q.� How important are genetic similarities

A.� Very, genes make us what we are. However, unfortunately�they're not always so easy to interpret; genetic differences and similarities are not relative. Although we share nearly all the same genes as chimpanzees, we also share 75% of our genes with worms!

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Tiny genetic differences can result in either a poodle or an Irish Wolf Hound, so it’s not hard to apprecate that such tiny genetic differences can result in two unique species like humans and chimpanzees.

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by Lisa Cardy