ABSTRACT
A brief description is given of mammalian evolution from a branch of the cold-blooded reptile family with substantial physiological and anatomical changes to a warm-blooded mammal.
An overview of human evolution is given with particular relevance to bipedalism and how it was so unlikely that bipedalism could have evolved in early hominins living on the savannah.
The significance of an upright gait in hominins is discussed in relation to many important pathological conditions and medical problems that have resulted purely from the fact that one branch of the mammal family decided to stand on two legs rather than on all fours. These conditions include lumbar disc and sciatic nerve problems, hypertension, vertigo and postural hypotension, hernias, haemorrhoids, prolapses and varicose veins.
One main reason why man has not become extinct as a result of these medical and pathological conditions is because our increased intelligence since the cognitive revolution has allowed us to overcome them. No longer was Man’s survival dictated by changes in his environment, because, unlike any other creature, he was able to radically change his environment to perpetuate the survival of his own species. (186 words)
