The Genetic Legacy of Our Hominin Ancestors

🧬Modern humans interbred with Neanderthals, resulting in 1-2% of Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of people of European and East Asian descent.

🌍Modern humans interbred with Denisovans in Asia, with up to 6% of Denisovan DNA found in some populations of Melanesians.

🔬The genetic contributions from other hominin species, such as Neanderthals and Denisovans, provided modern humans with advantageous traits, including immune response and adaptation to high altitudes.

🧩Genetic studies suggest that interbreeding events between modern humans and other hominins occurred multiple times in different regions.

🔒The reasons why Neanderthals and other hominins went extinct are still debated, but environmental changes and competition from modern humans are among the proposed factors.

How much Neanderthal DNA do modern humans have?

—Living people of European and East Asian descent have between 1 to 2% Neanderthal DNA in their genomes.

Where can we find Denisovan DNA in modern populations?

—Denisovan DNA can be found in populations in East and South Asia, and up to 6% Denisovan DNA in some populations of Melanesians.

What advantages did Neanderthals provide modern humans?

—Neanderthals contributed genes associated with immune response, adaptation to high altitudes, and skin-cell repair after sun exposure.

Did Homo sapiens interact with other hominin species more than once?

—Yes, genetic studies indicate that interbreeding events between Homo sapiens and other hominins happened multiple times in different regions.

Why did Neanderthals and other hominins go extinct?

—The reasons for their extinction are still debated, but factors such as environmental changes and competition from modern humans have been proposed.

00:00Introduction to the concept of modern humans interbreeding with other hominin species.

09:52Discussion on genetic contributions from Neanderthals, including immune response and adaptation to high altitudes.

13:35Explanation of how modern humans carry Neanderthal DNA in their genomes.

14:30Highlighting the genetic findings from Neanderthal DNA sequencing.

05:26Introduction to Denisovans as another hominin species.

09:37Discovery of Denisovan DNA in populations in Asia and the Pacific.

10:55Examples of genetic contributions from Denisovans, such as adaptation to high altitudes.

14:45Significance of multiple interbreeding events between modern humans and other hominins.

15:49Various theories on the extinction of Neanderthals and other hominins.