GENERAL ANTHROPOLOGY - "2% Difference" by Robert Sapolsky

Topic: Chimp and human DNA differ by a mere 2%. However, that 2% is much more than one might think. Where might the mutations be located and how does that affect the outcome? What is the issue with transcription factors? Could this explain why chimps and humans are genetically similar but look physically different? What is the major difference between chimps and humans?

ANT 101 - 001

09/20/2019

2% Difference

Sapolsky, author of the 2% Difference article, explains the genetic reasons for the 98% DNA they share, although humans and chimpanzees are two very different species. Sapolsky explains "transcription factors" that directly affect gene expression. According to Sapolsky, a small change in a transcription factor will have a great effect on gene expression. He also argues that, although chimpanzees and humans have similar genes, the expression patterns of these genes are very different. Thus, Sapolsky mentions that mutations may have occurred from a common DNA encoding a particular transcription factor. Therefore, it claims that a 2% difference in the genomic DNA lines encoding transcription factors in the genomic sequence originate therefrom.

These transcription factors say that not every gene can be expressed in humans in the same way as in chimpanzees and that there will be differences in their physical appearance. This shows why there is a big difference between humans and chimpanzees. Because the same gene found in humans and chimpanzees can produce the same protein, but proteins and functions may show very different results in humans and chimpanzees. We see this from body structures to eye color, from mobility to thinking, to the differences between humans and chimpanzees.

                                                                      Written by Erdogan Akbiyik

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