ABSTRACT
Abstract D uring Hominoid evolution a lot of sequence and chromosomal organization differences between highly related genomes of human and the African great apes were accumulated. Some of them certainly form a genetic basis for recently evolved, spe-
cifically human traits such as brain size of at least 600 cubic centimeters, extended period of childhood growth and development, possession oflanguage, enhanced cognitive capacity, and many others. The human genome sequencing revealed its characteristic features, and the ongoing sequencing of the chimpanzee genome continuously widens the possibilities of large-scale systematic comparison of the two genomes. Such a comparison provides information on all genomic differences, both evolutionary significant and neutral, fixed in evolution by chance. Singling out functionally significant differences from this mess is a rather challenging task. Here we review known general and some particular differences between human and chimpanzee genome organization. Most probably, there is little or no hope to find the genes that make us humans since hundreds or even thousands of genes were involved in the divergence of the two species. The divergence might be caused by changes in gene regulation, by modifications of protein biochemical functions, by gene duplications, losses and acquisitions.
