Chapter 2- "Getting a Grip"

This chapter enabled me to visualize the structure of the human body more effectively. For example, the way Shubin uses various scientists' theories and diagrams really portray how different bones inside of us work correspondingly to perform a specific action. When he was describing the human dissection, I was intrigued by the descriptions he provided us with. The way he conveyed it so simply made me want to try it in the future. However, when he paused as he unraveled the human's hand, he felt a connection. This passage represents the hand as a symbol. It shows how the hand performs the necessary functions in order to survive in life and also what you can attain in your existence.

Another significant point in this chapter are the many discoveries brought upon by ambitious professionals such as Owen, Save-Soderbergh, and Huxley and Gegenbaur. I viewed their contributions very uplifting because it strengthened our knowledge about ourselves and about how million-year-old creatures are similar to us. Tiktaalik conveys the true essence of the human structure. With its one bone-two bones-lotsa blobs arrangement, a wrist, a palm, and digits, we can make a strong connection between human existence and organisms long ago.