Man belongs to the animal kingdom. However, it is very different from all other representatives of the animal world. In the ecological pyramid, Homo sapiens occupies the highest rung. The main difference between people and animals is that a person with the help of special tools can transform the environment, modifying and adapting it to his needs. What class does the person belong to? We will consider this and other questions in this article.
The position of man in the animal world. What class does the person belong to
In the system of the animal world, Homo sapiens has the following affiliation:
• type - chordates;
• detachment - primates;
• subtype - vertebrates.
Certain signs, such as the presence of five sections of the spine, sweat and sebaceous glands, warm-bloodedness, a four-chambered heart, and others, allow us to answer the question of which class a reasonable person belongs to. All these characteristics make it possible to classify Homo sapiens as mammals.
Such features of a person as bearing a fetusin the reproductive organs of the mother and the nutrition of the fetus through the placenta are signs by which a person is classified as a placental subclass.
Common and distinctive features of Homo sapiens and other mammals
We have already figured out what class people belong to.
What traits do they have in common with this class of animals, and which ones are different? Some similar features have been described in the previous section. In addition, a person, like other representatives of this class, feeds his newborn offspring with milk.
However, although the structure of the human body has many similarities with the structure of mammals, it also has differences. First, it's upright. Only Homo sapiens has this feature.
Because of this, the human skeleton has four curves of the spine, an arched foot and a flat chest. In addition, humans differ from other mammals in the predominance of the cerebral region of the skull over the facial region. Consciousness and imaginative thinking, the ability to communicate through speech - these features, together with all others, distinguish a person from animals and put him on the highest stage of development.
Features of humans and animals
We have already found out what class of animals a person belongs to. What animals are the most intelligent? These are monkeys, cephalopods, cetaceans, mice. It has been proven that primates have a sense of justice,just like humans, and even prone to altruism. Some complex animals, such as dogs or cats, can be trained. However, no matter how smart and capable some representatives of the animal world are, they will never surpass the minds of people.
Relation between man and animals
We have already answered the question: “What class does a person belong to?”, And also determined its type, subtype, order and subclass. Now we will talk about the relationship between Homo sapiens and representatives of the animal world.
Man is inherently an apex predator. He eats the meat of slaughtered animals. Moreover, some animals may be the property of people. Domesticated individuals serve to satisfy human needs, and not only in nutrition. With the help of domesticated animals, a person protects his property, performs heavy field work, protects food from rodents, transports various objects, etc. From the wool of animals and their skin, a person receives raw materials for the production of clothing and footwear. Pets such as cats and dogs are needed by people for communication, recreation and entertainment. That is, the relationship between Homo sapiens and animals is very close and multifaceted.
