Joints evolved primarily to take advantage of leverage, leveraging physics for improved movement and locomotion.
Here's a breakdown of the evolutionary process, according to the provided information:
- Early Fish Fins: The first fish fins relied on segmental muscles. These muscles allowed fish to wave their fins, aiding in navigation within the water.
- Segmented Fin Bones: Over time, the segmented fin bones began to develop joints.
- Leverage and Fulcrum: These joints enabled the limb segments to act as a lever and fulcrum relative to each other. This significantly improved the efficiency and power of movement.
In essence, the development of joints provided a mechanical advantage, making movement more effective and efficient, particularly in aquatic environments. The joints allowed for more controlled and powerful movements compared to simple muscle contractions alone.
