Toby Kim

          Throughout the history of earth, mankind has certainly earned the zenith of the food web of every creature on earth. Now, human is indomitable species that controls almost every part on the globe. How did we manage to grow as the most powerful animal on earth? We did not have any sharp claws or strong legs or wings. What did we have that no other animals possessed? The answer is in our heads.

            From the beginning of adaptations, unlike other kinds of animals, humans used tools. Since we let our hands free by walking on two legs, we freely used our hand to manipulate tools and even use the fire. The most important aspect that differentiates human and animal, we can say, is the use of language. Unlike animals, humans are able to express their ideas or emotional feelings through various types of languages such as body language or verbal language. We can also plan, reason and deeply think about things. We are aware of the meaning of life and death. We can also love and share dreams, goals and aspirations. All of these were the driving forces that led us to the current position in the world. These were all possible because our brains are different than those of other animals.

            What special structure distinguished us humans from other creatures? The most recognizable difference is the weight of our brains. Most people mistakenly assume that human has the heaviest brain. However, human does not have the heaviest brain. Humans don’t even have the highest weight of their brains in proportions to their bodies. We do have pretty heavy brains, but they do not explain everything. Structurally, we do have a more complex brain structure and the nerve center. However, it is an only slight difference that seems almost negligible.

Actually, there is no perfect biological evidence that explains the emotional expression and other aspects of mankind. There is also no perfect physiological evidence that explains the human’s mind. Human brain is still a field of mystery. Biologists are still trying to make great strides forward in discovering the real function of brain. The study in neuroscience has just begun. We would have to wait until the near future to completely understand the structure and the function of human brain.