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From evolution to society: Why do humans stand out among the biological world?
In a world of biological diversity, humans have gained a prominent position with their unique biological characteristics and social behaviors. How did this happen? Human biology is an interdisciplinary academic study that explores the uniqueness of humans through the influence and interaction of multiple fields such as genetics, evolution, physiology, and anatomy. Human Biology covers all biological aspects of the human body and provides foundations across a wide range of undergraduate university degrees and modules.
Humans are one of only two species that walk on two legs, but we are unique from all other species in many ways.
The unique biological characteristics of humans
From an evolutionary perspective, humans possess many distinctive biological features that distinguish them from other mammals. First, humans have extremely large brains relative to their body size. This special structure has enabled the development of complex languages and the ability to create and use a variety of tools. In addition, humans' upright posture and bipedal walking, as well as their almost complete reliance on this mode of movement, have also formed the species' unique skeletal structure.
In developing countries, average life expectancy is closer to 80 years, making humans one of the longest-lived mammals.
Comparison with other mammals
Compared to other mammals, humans have the longest growth period, reaching sexual maturity on average between 12 and 16 years of age. Remarkably, humans have almost no hair coverage, an important trait in the evolutionary process. Such changes have triggered in-depth discussions on how humans adapt to the environment. Human vision can perceive color, but its ability to adapt to dim environments is relatively poor. On average, humans' sense of smell, taste, and touch are inferior to those of many other mammals.
Scientific Exploration
The study of human biology seeks to understand the fundamental characteristics of humans as living organisms. It combines a variety of scientific methods, such as experimentation and observation, to describe in detail the biochemical and biophysical basis of human life. This field is crucial to the basic science of medicine and encompasses multiple sub-disciplines ranging from anatomy to morphology.
By exploring human biology, we understand not only ourselves but also all life.
Humans and Diet
In terms of nutrition, humans, as omnivorous organisms, require a balanced intake of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. However, the human diet also requires specific amino acids and vitamins that are key to survival. Human metabolism is largely similar to that of other mammals, but humans are unique in our ability to rely on sunlight to synthesize vitamin D3, which is rare among other mammals.
Human social behavior
No matter in which civilization, humans are social animals who are good at using language and tools to communicate. This technology of communication enabled the development of civilization, including the creation of art, literature, music, and technology. All of this is based on our unique biological characteristics and ultimately leads to our dominance in the Earth's ecosystem.
Human biology allows us to better understand ourselves and, by extension, the workings of the entire biological world.
With such diverse interactions, will humans be able to continue to maintain their unique advantages in the future without losing the essence of these advantages?
