We are told that evolution is a continuing phenomenon for all living things. Are humans also evolving? Justify your answer.

• Evolution is a dynamic process. This means that it is constantly happening.

• Humans are evolving. Evolutionary changes appear after hundreds and thousands of years so they aren’t visible to us as they are happening.

• Some examples of human evolution that has taken places are:

• Appearance of mutation in the lactose tolerance gene. Earlier humans were unable to digest lactose containing products like milk and cheese. But now half of the world’s population can now consume lactose containing products. This development of lactose tolerance took about 20,000 years — which is like a minute in evolutionary time.

• People living at extremely high altitude places have evolved in such a way that their red blood cells are able to carry more oxygen, preventing them from suffering from hypoxia. (body doesn’t get enough oxygen)

• Another evolutionary change that happened can be observed in the population living in malaria prone regions.

• People in these areas developed sickle cell anaemia to fight off the malaria causing protozoa (Plasmodium). E