Our bodies are the result of adaptations that have accrued over billions of year

Question

Our bodies are the result of adaptations that have accrued over billions of years. We often like to say that animals, and ourselves, are "perfectly adapted" to our environments. This, however, is not true. Many of our structures work well enough, but could definitely work better. In fact, humans face many health issues as a result of this.

1. Find examples in the literature of problematic body structures (certain skeletal sections, childbirth/hips, blood pressure regulation, etc) and describe its original function, and how it has been adapted, however imperfectly, to our human body needs. What problems arise because of the way this structure has been altered or "forced" into another use?

2. Is it possible that our intelligence in use of medicine, technology, or alteration of the environment have interrupted the evolution of this structure any further?

Explanation / Answer

1.Human feet were once flexible because our ancestors had to grasp branches and climb. But as they began to walk upright feet became more stable with many bones. This results in ankle sprains,broken ankles and many injuries.

When humans stood upright there is a poor adaptation in the vertebral columns the spine evolved to be stiff. And then they placed a lot of weight on the head which created a lot of pressure and this made spine to curve inwards and shaped like an S. So due to this adaptation many people in sports has spinal injuries, slipped discs and anterior cruciate ligaments in the knee injuries etc.

And also due to upright walking the pelvic girdle became narrow and giving birth has become difficult and death of childbirth leads to death of women because of narrow path of giving birth and also the ancestors gave birth to babies with large bodies and large brains than other primates. This adaptation is due to giving birth with social support.

2. As the humans are adapted to these structures the intelligence in use of medicine and technology can only help to cure the injuries and the alteration of the environment haven't interrupted the evolution of this structures. And hence it may not be possible.

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