1.1.d. What features of structure and function are common to all humans?
Bipedal
Two legs
Opposable thumbs
Used for grasping
Highly evolved cerebral cortex
Allows for high intelligence
4 tissue types
Connective, epithelial, muscle & nervous
What features of structure and function are common to all humans?
Humans can be told apart by the <0.1% that is different about us. That's what gives us each our unique identity. However, we share most of our features in common. Here are examples.
206 bones at maturity
Roughly -- bone number decreases with age (as they fuse)
DNA as identity molecule
Some organisms use RNA, but all humans have DNA
Lungs dependent on outside pressure
To breath, humans must be at a certain range of pressures
23 pairs of chromosomes
46 total, 23 from each parent
24 ribs, 12 pairs
About 1/20 people have 13 pairs, but 12 is most common
Little body hair
Compared to other primates, humans have very little body hair
4 chambered heart
Some organisms have 2, 3, or 5 chambers
