Evolution, human

Figure 1 The comparison between dog breeding and directed molecular evolution. Over many generations, humans have directed the evolution of dogs to suit certain needs. Likewise, over several generations of directed molecular evolution, humans can direct the evolution of a hydrolase in different directions.

Palumbi, S.R. 2001. Evolution humans as the world s greatest evolutionary force. Science, 293, 1786-1790. 

Environmental Protection Agency, Proposed guidelines for registering pesticides in the U.S. Hazard evolution humans and domestic animal. Fed. Register 43 37335-37403 (Aug. 22, 1978). 

Motulsky, A. G., (1960), Metabolic polymorphisms and the role of infectious diseases in human evolution. Human Biol. 32, 28-32. 

Throughout evolution humans and animals have developed a multitude of ways for communication. Micro-organisms (bacteria, yeasts and moulds) can communicate through a process called quorum sensing. Quorum sensing is the regulation of gene expression in response to fluctuations in ceU-population density. 

Milk has been a source for food for humans since the beginning of recorded history. Although the use of fresh milk has increased with economic development, the majority of consumption occurs after milk has been heated, processed, or made into butter. The milk industry became a commercial enterprise when methods for preservation of fluid milk were introduced. The successful evolution of the dairy industry from small to large units of production, ie, the farm to the dairy plant, depended on sanitation of animals, products, and equipment cooling faciUties health standards for animals and workers transportation systems constmction materials for process machinery and product containers pasteurization and sterilization methods containers for distribution and refrigeration for products in stores and homes. 

Human evolution has taken place close to sea level, and humans are physiologically adjusted to the absolute partial pressure of the oxygen at that point, namely 21.2 kPa (159.2 mm Hg), ie, 20.946% of 101.325 kPa (760 mm Hg). However, humans may become acclimatized to life and work at altitudes as high as 2500—4000 m. At the 3000-m level, the atmospheric pressure drops to 70 kPa (523 mm Hg) and the oxygen partial pressure to 14.61 kPa (110 mm Hg), only slightly above the 13.73 kPa (102.9 mm Hg) for the normal oxygen pressure in alveolar air. To compensate, the individual is forced to breathe much more rapidly to increase the ratio of new air to old in the lung mixture. 

This article reviews various contraceptive methods, with particular emphasis on the evolution of the chemical methods used in current hormonal contraceptives and contragestational products, and describes research efforts directed toward the development of new approaches to control human fertihty. 

Jones, S., et ah, eds. (1992). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Human Evolution. Cambridge, Eng. Cambridge... 

Might we assume then that the search for relevance is a search for ways to be reoriented toward the higher or highest evolutionary priorities Even discarding the (controversial) need for growth in humanity s kinetic machinery, there is a clear need for effort to just sustain the feeder reactions and to control the undesirable end products from the total system. The catalytic scientist surely feels that he must already be—and is—a key participant in that very play (or drama) of human survival or evolution. 

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