Question

Okay Here is another one. The theory of evolution suggests that we all humans evolve from a species called The apes. As far as I know, fertilisation is only possible between species who are genetically very closely related. E.g A horse and a Donkey= Mule. Hypothetically if we obtain a gene of an ape and of a human and try fusing it. Will fertilization be possible?

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liger
check this out....

Answer 2

you need whole gametes for fertilization to occur, simply recombining genes is not going to give you a zygote. Moreover, you set the whole set of genes (23 chromosomes) to have a viable zygote.

Answer 3

The case with horse/donkey fertilization, as you are probably aware of, does not lead to a sustainable species, since Mules are infertile (look at the contributing genes for horse and donkey).

This is a valid question though: We as human beings, although we have broken through many evolutionary restrictions, are still considered "Great apes", which are part of the primate phylogeny. Its a humbling realization.

@aaronq was right on the money, but this is not the only requirement to make a viable organism that can also reproduce (think Tigons and Ligers). Check this page on hybrids: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_(biology)

Answer 4

The theory of evolution states that humans and apes share a common ancestor. NOT that humans evolve FROM apes. Big misconception...

As far as I know, fertilization won't be possible, because of the incompatibility of both gametes.

Answer 5

I think when many people think 'apes' they think gorillas, but in fact we are in the same clade as apes (yes we are apes) and more specifically we are "great apes" in the family hominidae. Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ape and search for "human" within the page.

Yes, we did not evolve from any of the extant primates we see in nature today, but we ourselves are primates and apes (Clade: Catarrhini)

Answer 6

Well, I wanted to be involved in this discussion but I couldnt participate due to certain circumstances. As I see the discussion is well discussed already.
Well, People this is a hypothetical situation. I was just curious about the possibilities of fertilization. Can someone come to a conclusion and tell me the outcome?

Answer 7

It sounds like you need to get some experimental results first, good luck with that :) Personally I think there is chance of a fertilization, but it won't get much further then that, most likely resulting in still-born... This is slightly messed up. (remember we ARE apes). A gorilla (2n= 48) and a human (2n= 46) will have a hypothetical chromosome of 47.

Answer 8

Here's a really useful list of chromosome counts (I guess we can try mating with antelopes, hehe): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_organisms_by_chromosome_count