It is a question that has long puzzled scientists. What made our ancestors break away from apes and advance so dramatically?

Now researchers believe they may have explained the missing link – a duplicated gene.

Researchers believe that a copy of gene SRGAP2, which appeared in ‘ape men’ around 2.5million years ago, helped our brain cells move faster and make more connections – enabling the brain to become more complex.

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Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2138861/Missing-link-gene-triggered-leap-intelligence-million-years-ago–separated-man-apes.html#ixzz1twSkJMg5