![THE LEFT OVERS](https://cdn.magzter.com/1441816897/1710457633/articles/R-dA4gR5q1710505795587/THE-LEFT-OVERS.jpg)
It all comes back to one key idea: evolution.
In 1859, Charles Darwin published his book On the Origin of Species, in which he explained his theory of evolution. He described the process of “descent with modification,” where physical parts— and even behaviors—of animals may change over multiple generations due to natural selection. If certain traits—such as sharp teeth or thick fur—helped the animal survive in the wild, then these favorable traits would be “selected for” and passed down to the next generation. Then that generation would pass them on. And so on.
And while favorable traits are passed on, other traits are sometimes phased out altogether. Unused parts are called vestiges. This word comes from the Latin vestigium, or “footprint.” These vestiges are our body’s evolutionary leftovers.
Chew on This
Modern humans (Homo sapiens) and our ancestors are all referred to as hominins. There have been many different types of hominins over the millennia.
Starting about three million years ago, hominins created simple tools that could cut, pound, and grind food materials like raw plants. They also harnessed the power of fire, which could be used to cook meats and other foods, making them more digestible. Soon hominins consumed less cellulose, a strong structural material found in plants that is difficult for many animals to digest. Then something funny happened along the six million years’ march toward modern Homo sapiens: Our jaws grew smaller, and our brains grew bigger. As our ancestors’ eating habitats changed, over time the hominin jawbone shrank. Our teeth grew smaller, too.
Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Muse Science Magazine for Kids.
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Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Muse Science Magazine for Kids.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Who's Your Cousin?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11355/1633847/ASHqA7muv1710505048312/crp_Great-apes-Chimpanzee-Gorilla.jpg)
Who's Your Cousin?
The great apes are among the most popular animals in most zoos. Their actions, facial expressions, and family life remind us so much of ourselves. Have you ever wondered, though, how we might look to them?
![Is it possible to die of boredom?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11355/1633847/ZzB-iZQgF1710508711802/IS-IT-POSSIBLE-TO-DIE-OF-BOREDOM.jpg)
Is it possible to die of boredom?
To figure out if we can die of boredom, we first have to understand what boredom is. For help, we called James Danckert, a psychologist who studies boredom at the University of Waterloo in Canada.
![THE PROBLEM WITH PALM OIL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11355/1633847/NE6B5peNi1710508405429/THE-PROBLEM-WITH-PALM-OIL.jpg)
THE PROBLEM WITH PALM OIL
Palm oil is all around you. It’s in sugary snacks like cookies and candy bars. It’s in lipstick and shampoo and pet food.
![SERGE WICH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11355/1633847/-jLx5_Ovb1710508082294/SERGE-WICH.jpg)
SERGE WICH
Serge Wich’s favorite days at work are spent out in the forest, studying orangutans in Sumatra and Borneo or chimpanzees in Tanzania.
![ELODIE FREYMANN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11355/1633847/rxYkBeZAq1710507644261/ELODIE-FREYMANN.jpg)
ELODIE FREYMANN
When you’re feeling sick, it probably doesn’t occur to you to try eating tree bark.
![Guardians of the Forest](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11355/1633847/3EFkZEWa51710506719598/GUARDIANS-OF-THE-FOREST.jpg)
Guardians of the Forest
EARLY, MAKESHIFT WILDLIFE DRONES HELPED TO DETECT AND PROTECT ORANGUTANS.
![APE ANTICS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11355/1633847/oR6tFGQgh1710507151473/APE-ANTICS.jpg)
APE ANTICS
The Whirling World of primate play
![Dr. Ape Will See You Now](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11355/1633847/Mp7BNzq0N1710506413948/DR-APE-WILL-SEE-YOU-NOW.jpg)
Dr. Ape Will See You Now
HUMANS AREN’T THE ONLY PRIMATES THAT USE MEDICATION.
![THE LEFT OVERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11355/1633847/R-dA4gR5q1710505795587/THE-LEFT-OVERS.jpg)
THE LEFT OVERS
A lot has happened for modern humans to get to this point. We lost most of our hair, learned how to make tools, established civilizations, sent a person to the Moon, and invented artificial intelligence. Whew! With all of these changes, our bodies have changed, too. It’s only taken us about six million years.
![SO, WHAT IS A PRIMATE?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11355/1633847/adJ6Z9jpO1710505380650/SO-WHAT-IS-A-PRIMATE.jpg)
SO, WHAT IS A PRIMATE?
What do you have in common with the aye-aye, sifaka, siamang, and potto? If you said your collarbone, you re probably a primatologist—a person who studies primates. If you’re not, read on.