A new scientific study suggests that some people's habit of going to bed early at night and waking up early in the morning may be due to their DNA and their distant ancestors or the Neanderthals from whom their ancestors may have evolved.
Researchers found that DNA inherited from this ancient human species helps some people fall asleep and wake up early more easily than other people.
While most of the genes acquired by modern humans through ancient interbreeding have been eliminated by evolution, a small portion remains, likely because they helped early modern humans adapt to the new environment when they left Africa for Eurasia.
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“By analyzing the bits of Neanderthal DNA that remain in the modern human genome, we discovered a striking trend,” said John Capra, an epidemiologist at the University of California , San Francisco. Many of these affected genes that govern biological rhythms, or body clocks, in modern humans. According to the scientist, this DNA may increase someone’s tendency to be, what we call, a morning person.
Waves of Homo sapiens migrated from Africa to Eurasia about 70,000 years ago. Upon their arrival, they encountered Neanderthals, who had already adapted to the colder climate, having been in the region hundreds of thousands of years earlier. Thanks to interbreeding between the groups, modern humans carry up to 4% of Neanderthal DNA, including genes linked to skin pigmentation, hair, fat, and immunity.
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Scientists analyzed DNA from modern humans and Neanderthals and found different genetic variants involved in the body clocks , or circadian rhythms, of the two groups. However, since the ancestors of modern humans interbred with Neanderthals, it is possible that some people alive today carry Neanderthal variants . To check this, the researchers turned to the UK Biobank , which has genetic information on half a million people. They found that many people carry the variants, especially genes linked to morning awakening.
Of course, that doesn't mean that all morning people have Neanderthal genes. Hundreds of different genes play a role in when people sleep and wake up, and there are many environmental and cultural influences. Neanderthal genes only have a small impact.
The Neanderthals, at least in some areas, were born out of the need to hunt and find food while there was daylight . It is believed that they gradually incorporated this into their DNA and passed it on to future generations.
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This shows the importance of genetic inheritance in regulating biological clock. This research helps us better understand the differences in our morning wake-up and sleep preferences and discover more about the evolution of the human species.
Neanderthals are an important legacy of human evolution, with their own distinct lifestyle, appearance, and culture. Their rich history continues to captivate scientists, as new discoveries illuminate how Neanderthals influence our lives today.
Source: www.theguardian.com
