that eye regeneration in the dark cave environment is due to adaptive evolution. Experiments that have been carried out on Astyanax cavefish do not seem to favor the neutral mutation theory. The results from these experiments have shown that several eye genes are pleiotropic and regulatory since they have many functions in development in addition to their eye forming roles. This means that the genes do not experience the neutral decay process. Even critical eye structural genes such as retinal opsin
Scientists are continuously performing experiments testing the validity of hypotheses that derive from the core of evolutionary theory. Oliarus Polyphemus, the subterranean insect lineage that lives in lava tube caves on Hawaii Island, is ideal for studying the effects of natural selection and genetic drift. Known as Hawaiian cave planthoppers, these obligate cavernicoles live in the Hawaiian archipelago, which is subject to frequent volcanism and rapidly changing landscape dynamics. This leads
point to note from the book is that a large percentage of the evolutionary variations that took place at the molecular (DNA) level were not as a result of the Darwinian theory of natural selection acting on mutants that are advantageous. Instead, the changes occurred from randomly fixing of selectively neural mutants or using the random genetic drift in those who are close to being neutral mutants. The genetic drift resulted from the sampling of gametes randomly in populations that are determinable
We are who we are because of a biological process called natural selection. The theory of biological evolution by natural selection first exposed by Charles Darwin (1859) is probably the most revolutionary idea in the history of human thought. Surprisingly, despite the crucial importance for the understanding of ourselves as a species and other biological species, few men actually understand or even know, the natural mechanism that created us. Never a seemingly simple concept was so difficult to
Panglossian paradigm: a critique of the adaptationist programme. This article resembles Dobzhansky 1973 work based on the similar dynamic created between religion and evolution. This shows a consistence religion aspect in most evolution writing on theories; however, in Dobzhansky 1973, he tried to persuade people to “convert’ to evolution. Furthermore, Gould and Lewontin argue about the Spandrels and its adaptation cost compared to organism’s adaptation provides the reader a great read. Although Gould
definitely display similarities with all life today. Thus, to suggest the first forms of life, one has to imag... ... middle of paper ... ...ssive sulphide deposit. Nature, 405(6787), p.676-679. 21. Nick Lane, (2009) The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution. London: W.W Norton 22. Ludwig, K. A., et al. 2005. U/Th geochronology of carbonate chimneys at the Lost City hydrothermal field. Eos Trans. AGU 86, V51B–1487. 23. Baaske, P. et al., 2007. Extreme accumulation of nucleotides in simulated hydrothermal
Population Physical anthropologists view humans as biological organisms. Coupled with genetics and biochemistry, scientists can form a more complete picture of human anatomy, both past and present. Physical anthropology looks at human variation and evolution. Variation looks at the biological differences that exist between individuals within a population and at individuals between populations (e.g., body shape, size, and physiological responses). These differences in human biology are measured using
Is monogamy really the best relationship dynamic for everyone? Are people being honest with themselves, their lovers, or even their spouses in regards to monogamy? Apparently they are not, due to the seemingly common occurrence of infidelity in society today. This is why I will explore alternative relationship dynamics, and the pros and cons of monogamy, polyamory and other non-monogamous lifestyles. The idea of non-monogamy seems to be on people’s minds, since it has been coming up in popular culture
pristine, pure rationality undisturbed by culture, bias, or the vagaries of historical situation. Modernism valued evidence and empirical confirmation and therefore strived to remain valueneutral to mirror a phenomenal world that was itself held value-neutral. The author challenges this way of human knowing and finds it insufficient and incapable of meeting the deepest needs of being human. In so doing, he sheds light on the relation between science and religion. Much of this material is rather provocative