University:
Arizona State University
Course:
BIO 181 | Biology
Academic year:

2024
Views:

417

Pages:

2
Author:

Thuyoul US

The Change in Eating Patterns and Its Deep Effect on the Development of the Digestive System The evolution of the digestive tract reached a turning point when Homo species began to consume meat, replacing the predominately plant-based diet of early hominids. This change in food has significant effects that changed the digestive tract's architectural structure and physiological requirements. Primarily herbivorous, early hominids were largely dependent on plant material for their nourishment. This required a lengthy and complex digestive system that could process the cellulose and complex sugars that are present in plants. Specialized chambers and a varied microbiome were present in their digestive tracts to aid in the fermentation and nutritional extraction from fibrous plant material. But the addition of meat to the Homo sapiens diet brought about a shift in the dietary terrain. Compared to plant materials, meat, which is high in protein and fat, needs a distinct digestion technique. While processing meat, the digestive enzymes and procedures designed to break down complex carbs were not as necessary. The digestive system of the Homo species changed significantly as a result. The more plant matter they consumed, the less they needed a long digestive tract, which was necessary for breaking down fibrous plant material. This decrease in dietary fiber and the increased intake of animal tissues that are quickly digested resulted in a digestive tract that is shorter. Having a shortened digestive tract had two evolutionary benefits. First of all, it decreased the amount of energy needed to sustain a larger digestive system. This allowed for the freeing up of important resources that might be used for other essential physiological functions. Second, the building blocks for the development of other organs, most notably the brain, were found in the proteins and nutrients found in meat. A more effective digestive system saved energy, which was then used to develop and increase the brain—a feature that distinguishes the Homo sapiens species. This investment in mental capacity led to the development of sophisticated social structures, toolmaking ability, and cognitive improvements that eventually helped the Homo species advance to the forefront of the evolutionary stage. Thus, the shift from a predominantly plant-based diet to one that included meat not only influenced the structure of the digestive system but also significantly influenced the evolution of other essential traits that characterize human evolution. The digestive tract became shorter, which made it easier to use energy and allocate it to the development of the brain and other sophisticated organs. The complicated interplay between nutrition, physiology, and the evolutionary history of the Homo sapiens species is best illustrated by this change in eating patterns and the ensuing effects on the digestive tract.