Chapters 8-11

In chapter 8, Shubin discusses olfactory senses. Again, he emphasizes the idea that we are all copies of one primitive archetype. He also notes that our olfactory senses can release a multitude of various emotions and can even be essential to our survival. I really enjoy the analogies that Shubin provides; he compared our senses to that of a chord: a single, harmonious entity of notes that is utilized the same way that our brain perceives different "odor molecules" as one smell. It was shocking to discover that numerous mutations have made many of our odor genes expendable, although we can still recognize a plethora of smells. For dolphins and whales, the nasal passage had been modified into a blowhole, which was only used for breathing, not smelling; thus, the use of the blowhole as an olfactory sense was rendered useless. We have an incredible sense of smell, and reading this chapter made me appreciate just how powerful our olfactory senses are.

Shubin discusses, as the title suggests, our vision in chapter 9. He mentions all the complex functions of our eyes. Its simply amazing to consider the speed at which our eyes must work in order for us to perceive the world. He mentioned Walter Gehring's experiment with the eyeless gene, or Pax 6. Considering all the information that Shubin provided, he opened my eyes (literally) to all the complexities we overlook when examining the functions of our eyes.

Shubin begins chapter 10 by talking about the inside of our ears. Shubin notes that the "most distinctive traits of mammals lie inside the ear" (159). This interesting, considering the fact that we differ from other organisms in many other significant ways as well. It was fascinating to see the structural connection that Shubin forged between humans and sharks. The small bone in the human ear -similar to the large rod in the upper jaw of a shark - is optimal (based on its size and shape) for detecting vibrations in the air. Shubin then discussed the consequences of intoxication on our bodies; what causes unbalance in our systems is the diffusion of alcohol from our bloodstream into the fluid of the inner ear. He then speculates what came first: neuromasts or inner ears? However, he concludes by saying that both alternatives point to a similar principle: organs can always be altered.

In Chapter 11, Shubin concludes the book by gathering all of his main points. He states that the most fundamental concept of biology is how we compare various organisms. To truly embody this concept, he claims, is to make connections between other creatures and ourselves, find our 'inner fish.' Shubin makes the analogy that similarities we find between other organisms and ourselves is like peeling an onion: each synonymous quality that we share is like revealing another layer of history. He claims that each discovery is not just another abstract, incomprehensible concept- it's another faucet of understanding to help us lead better, healthier lives.

Overall, this book was interesting to read. It helped me see things from a perspective that I had never considered before. Although some parts of the book were hard to understand, Shubin's helpful diagrams and analogies helped make it bearable. The book also made me realize that we may have an "inner fish" inside us after all.

-Irene Kim