Why are humans so much weaker than chimps?

[The Flying Tench]

Apparently chimps are 4 times stronger than humans. But why - in evolutionary terms? Does it mean we are weaker than our ape ancestors? And if so, what was the evolutionary advantage of getting weaker?

[corydoras]

Apparently chimps are 4 times stronger than humans. But why - in evolutionary terms? Does it mean we are weaker than our ape ancestors? And if so, what was the evolutionary advantage of getting weaker?

An adult male chimp is about 10 times stronger than a man.

[Phone]

Tench,

 

Interesting subject. I think it is because chimps are butt ugly and don't take a bath. Strength in chimps is negative evolution.

 

However the first seven articles (google) on the subject suggest we developed our fine motor control controls over out muscles and that prevents great feats of strength. "Evolutionary lineage and positive selection tends to occur in both chimps and humans.

 

One interesting note I read (and I guess a question). Chimps genetically developed stronger immune responses Humans are kicking arce in the area of expression, patterns and positive selection. That means we have a lot more genes with the power to make change at the tissue level. We have a lot more options left for change.

 

Phone

[fishy_con]

There is most likely a number of reasons for the change, at a guess a change in habitat most likely being one. Many primates are tree dwelling for food and safety from predators when our ancestors moved to the ground our upper body strength was less important. The use of tools also probably had some influence down the line i would have thought. Don't forget chimps are just as evolved for their natural habitat as we are

Edited July 10, 2013 by fishy_con

[Steve Walker]

There are costs as well as benefits to being more muscular.

 

In terms of mechanisms, Google "neoteny in human evolution".

[fishy_con]

I should have said it in my previous post but the question is flawed in the first place as we didnt evolve from chimpanzees but we did share a common ancestor with them. At some point our shared ancestors were divided and some evolved along the path that lead to humans and some along the path that lead to chimps.

Edited July 10, 2013 by fishy_con

[Steve Walker]

It's a fair point that none of our ancestral species exist unchanged today, but it's reasonable to compare us to other contemporary primate lines and ask why we diverged.

[chesters1]

Perhaps adam and eve were undeveloped weaklings

[garylee]

Why do we as a species need to be as strong when instead of killing your prey with claws, teeth or brute strength you chase your prey to the point of exhaustion then spear, club or drop a large rock on it.

We became a jack of all trades maybe at the cost of being master of none (but we're smart).

Edited July 10, 2013 by garylee

[gozzer]

BANANAS!

 

John.