To: 2MAR$ who wrote (29010 ) 7/29/2012 6:45:00 PM From: 2MAR$ Respond to The significnce of the fusion of human Chromsome #2 (Hox gene & walking upright ?) from chimp/ape chromsomes 2a & 2b recap : Chromosome #2 may have been associated with the development of bipedalism (walking upright), because the fusion of chromosomes could have altered the function of the Hox B genes which are now found on our chromosome two. The Hox B genes are one of several groups of genes which control morphology, and the Hox B genes (on chromosome 2) specifically control the way the pelvis and lower spine and genitalia develop. Humans have five lumbar vertebrae, chimps have three, so it's very plausible that that's one of the changes that led to walking upright. They also pointed out that the family structure of chimpanzee-like creatures may well have led to quick speciation. With a dominant male impregnating multiple females, the family clan would quickly have multiple children and grandchildren with at least one fused chromosome, and inbreeding would have led to a number of individuals with two fused chromosomes and if those individuals with 23 chromosome pairs were better able to walk upright, and this offered a significant survival or reproductive advantage, it might take no time at all before you had a new species, living with their cousins, but perhaps preferring to mate with their like, and eventually competing with and/or separating from the original species. http://richarddawkins.net/discussions/642203-how-did-the-fusion-of-chromosome-2-get-passed-on-to-future-generations#page2 bably have then be devoted to other skills."
