I think that we can all agree that we are the most intelligent and advanced species on the planet. Yet, we are considered to be animals. Just like many other organisms on Earth, we breathe, eat, sleep, and reproduce. With DNA that is nearly 99% identical to that of a chimpanzee, what really sets us apart from the uncivilized status of “wild animals”?

Differentiating humans from other mammals has posed an enigma to many scientists who have addressed this question. A specific struggle within the pursuit of the answer to this question was noted by Daniel Criswell, who notes, “Humans have been described as tool users, once thought to be a quality unique from all other animals. However, extensive studies over the years by many researchers has identified tool use by chimpanzees, and more recently gorillas, indicating that use of crude tools is not necessarily a unique human feature.” (Criswell) We have all seen the capability of the chimpanzee, which can make and use tools in  its environment. It was actually discovered by Dr. Jane Goodall that the chimpanzee was the first animal other than humans that is capable of changing an object to make a tool and use it for a certain purpose (in the chimps’ case it was stripping twigs of leaves and searching for termites to eat).

A significant difference which is evident between humans and apes is the skeletal shape. The human jawbone is smaller and V-shaped, while that of an ape is larger and also U-shaped. Additionally, the ape’s pelvis is not shaped like that of a human, which allows for the support of organs within the abdominal region. (ICR) Psychologist Thomas Suddendorf concluded that, “our open-ended ability to imagine and reflect on different situations, and our deep-seated drive to link our scenario-building minds together” was the key element to be considered when differentiating humans and other animals.

The most significant aspect of the true difference between ourselves and apes is intelligence level. Scientists have reported finding a significantly greater amount of intricate nerve connectivity in the human brain than that of an ape. It is also very easy to recognize a human’s ability to endure varying emotions. These emotions are made possible by what are called “spindle neurons“. The human brain contains more spindle neurons than apes, this suggests why humans appear to be more emotional.

Humans may be the most capable and detrimental species on the planet. Although our DNA is 99% similar to an ape’s, something in that 1% must make us exceptional.

Sources:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-makes-us-human/ (Daniel Criswell)

http://www.janegoodall.ca/about-chimp-behaviour-tool-use.php

http://theconversation.com/what-makes-us-human-24764 (Suddendorf)

http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/evolution/man-chimp-ape1.htm