Man is the typical representative of the animal kingdom.It is characterized by certain structural features, systematic position and characteristics of life activity. In our article, we consider what is characteristic of man and animal, and what features distinguish them significantly.
Back in the Middle Ages, scientists dared to believethat man belongs to the animal world. Further development of evolutionary ideas about the development of all living things only confirmed this assumption. Currently, humans are referred to the biological species Homo sapiens. The common ancestor of man lived about 130 thousand years ago and, as a result of the development of labor activity and the primary forms of society, gave rise to a modern species.
Биологические потребности животных определяют features of their structure. These include the presence of oxygen, nutrients, a certain amount of water. This makes it possible to exercise nutrition, aerobic respiration, active movement and metabolism. All animals also need rest and sleep. The main feature that determines the identity of an organism to a given kingdom is a heterotrophic way of feeding. Animals are able to consume only ready-made organic matter. Unlike plants that can synthesize them themselves. Animals and humans grow only a certain period of time.
Animals of different habitats are adapted tocertain conditions. For example, moles need less sunlight than terrestrial inhabitants. And bats use echolocation for orientation in the dark. Therefore, the need for lighting is significantly reduced.
What signs are related to allrepresentatives of the animal world, including man? These are chemical composition, cell structure, similar structure of organs and their systems, embryonic development. In many ways, similar features of behavior. This causes a high level of development of the brain, which is characteristic of both humans and animals, in particular primates. At the same time, the developed occipital part determines the development of the visual sensory system. This greatly increases the ability to work. And the development of the frontal lobes determines mental activity.
Both man and animals have been born since birthsystem of innate reflexes. These include respiratory, protective, prehensile, sucking, blinking, and others. From the first minute of birth, they make it possible to carry out vital processes and the existence of species as a whole.
Congenital reflex system that formsa whole system of behavior is called instinct. Their presence is a common feature for both animals and humans. Instincts are a congenital property of their nervous system. Of course, many skills are acquired from older generations. However, most instincts laid from birth. Seasonal flight of birds, the construction of the dam beaver, the creation of nests - all instinct. These examples are quite numerous. Extraction of food, reproduction, ability to self-preservation are typical behavioral programs that ensure the viability of species from the first minutes of existence.
Absolutely all instincts are species.They are fixed in the genotype, so do not depend on the acquired experience and habitat. For humans, they are also the basis of behavior. You must admit that the struggle for existence takes place both in the pack of wolves and in the work collective.
However, besides the biological basis, man hasalso social, which distinguishes it from other animals. It is determined by life in society and submission to its laws. Man is able to control his innate instincts. So, the basis of procreation is the idea of creating a family and - in most cases - monogamous relations. The person is also distinguished by abstract thinking, conscious actions, the ability to create a new environment. Another feature is articulate speech. A person does not just make sounds, but does it meaningfully, expressing his thoughts. Homo sapiens species is also capable of working. In this regard, its representatives have a number of structural features. For example, the thumb is opposed to the rest.
So, in our article we considered thatpeculiar to man and animal. Common features are the chemical composition of cells, the ability to heterotrophic nutrition, the unity of physiological processes. The behavior of humans and animals determine unconditioned reflexes. They ensure their vitality immediately after birth. A common feature is the presence of complex programs of behavior - instincts.
