Chapter 5: Getting Ahead

When I first read a few pages of this chapter, I thought it was pretty funny to see how with the head, a person is able to discover the traits of his or her cranium. Moreover, as pages went on, I was not fully convinced about the similarities between a human and shark. This impression was like the sight I had in chapter one because of either lack of diagrams given or my stereotypes on this topic. However, as Shubin started to jot down the ideas of the similarities of humans and sharks embryos through diagrams. Therefore, I was able to see the development of them clearly. But even with these explanations, I was still not fully persuaded. Shubin went on deeper to elaborate the mere differences of humans and sharks by showing that it is the genetic codes that distinguish one organism. For example, Otx and Hox are the ones that shape the arches. As I go into deeper theories in this book, I realize that the amazing feature in this book is its ability to prove a point that seems even impossible to even reach. Especially the parts where Shubin easily prove the similarities of unattractive animals, I have been remarked each part.