The 4 Billion Year Path of Human Evolution

[Chip (OP)]

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/path-of-human-evolution/

The 4 Billion Year Path of Human Evolution

June 9, 2023

The story of human evolution is a fascinating one, stretching back in an unbroken chain over millions of years.

From the tiniest protocells to modern humans, our species has undergone a remarkable journey of adaptation, innovation, and survival.

In this article, we take a look at the key developmental stages in the evolution of
of life on Earth that led to the emergence of Homo sapiens—us!

From Protocells to People

Evolution is the result of millions of minute mutations over millions of years, but the evolutionary process that created us can bucketed into a few key categories.

1.  Protocells and Early Microorganisms
The first life forms on Earth were simple, single-celled microorganisms known as protocells. These precursor cells lacked a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles, and they had simple genetic proteins called RNA.

Over time, RNA complexified into the more stable DNA. Protocells slowly developed specialized organelles, becoming more complex microbes that would eventually form eukaryotes – the complex, unicellular organisms that would birth a diverse array of life forms, from simple sponges to complex animals.
 
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