Fareeha Khan

Seminar C 2

Log 7: Making of the Fittest

Synopsis

Microevolution and Macroevolution

Microevolution refers to the variation and evolution within species. This is the most accepted form of evolution  to most people that doubt evolution in general. Macroevolution describes the complex features above the species level. Both of these ideas are discussed in great detail by Charles Darwin in his On the Origin of Species and his journal, The Voyage of Beagle. After these works were published, it was very difficult for people to understand at the time because of the complexity of the description. However, much evidence has been found and established in the last two decades and has rallied supporters to understand evolutionary science. Even still though many people ignore this evidence and find it hard to believe in evolution.

“Evo Devo”

Evo Devo is the name given to the evolution of development. This study has found mass amounts of information supporting the evolution of body parts, which is great news for scientists because that is such a complex idea to understand. For example, evo devo could be the explanation for why we see so many different forms of eyes amongst us. It was formerly thought that the various eye forms were independent developments within each species. But evo devo would be a more reasonable explanation because even seemingly unrelated eye types share very similar characteristics. This made a breakthrough on the evolutionary scheme.

Pax 6 Protein

In the mid 1990’s researchers discovered that mice and humans have ridiculously alike genes that are both used to form eyes. Researchers further studied the topic by inserting the Pax 6 eye forming gene at other places in the body, like the legs and wings. Results showed that eyes were able to form in even those obscure areas. Since mice and flies have the same pax 6 gene, then it can be assumed that the same results would happen with mice. Researchers found that the same thing happened with a wide array of animals and concluded that the pax 6 gene has evolved for some sort of historical reason. By linking the development of the eye by comparing the eyes of a variety of animals, we can create a line of history that shows the step by step formation of our human eyes today.

Ragworms

Ragworm larvae have two celled larvae eyes. When compared to larger, more cup shaped adult eyes we can see how these adult eyes are simply larvae eyes with more eye cells arranged in the same space in a slightly different organization. This paints the picture of using the same building units to become and evolve into a more complex eye structure. This claim does have quite a bit of evidence to support it as other animals with similar building units show the evolution of a more complex structure.

Physiology v. Form

The genes opsins, globins, ribonucleases, etc.  create the physiology aspect of the protein, as in the part that controls vision and digestion. The other tool kit proteins, including Pax 6, involve creating the form of the proteins, as in the size and shape. Some of the same took kits can work to build several different parts of the body, even. Since the tool kits are so necessary, mutations that attempt to alter the tool kits turn out to be extremely detrimental and are usually not passed on.

Pitx1

Pitx1 is a normal tool kit gene with many functions. However, it has been interesting because although it creates the development of pelvic fins for fish, this does not affect the other body parts in which Pitx1 serves its tool kit roles. Also it has created two different forms of the fish’s skeletal structure: pelvic fins and without pelvic fins. Upon further examination, one can realize that the DNA sequences are the exact same in structures with pelvic fins and without them. This can be explained because each sequence contain regulatory noncoding parts that determine what does or does not work. The particular part that is noncoding can be different in each organism with the same sequence. Changes in the sequences can change how an animal works.

Paintbrush tool

The paintbrush tool refers to the evolution of different patterns and colors that appear on different animals in the same species. This variation is made after the several physical traits are created through a multistep process and the tool kit has a wide variety of patterns to choose from. It is like the accumulation of all the variations over time evolving in the form of different patterns like, for example, on the wings of fruit flies. A spot can evolve and disappear with the same paintbrush tool.

Take Away Idea

I think the most important idea to learn from this is that of “evo devo” as in the evolution of development. This idea can explain a whole slew of complex ideas that we could before not fully understand. With the creation of the theory that traits that seem different amongst different species can actually be linked  is something that has furthered us down the path to discovering evolution.

Most Challenging Concept

For me the most challenging concept to understand was also my take away idea, so I’m glad I took the time to understand it. The idea of evo devo is a breakthrough discovery on the mission of understanding evolution and should be considered with much thought. Furthering the study of this idea can lead to many doors being opened and explanations being made.

A Seminar Question

Other than eyes, what are some other traits that you think can be supported by the idea of evo devo?

Competency

This chapter has helped me further develop my aesthetic awareness. Prior to understanding the idea of the “paintbrush” tool I thought the various patterns and colors were determined by random selection but now I understand that there is a more careful and structural part of the evolution of wing patterns.

This chapter has also helped me develop a sense of critical thinking. The concept of evo devo helps to connect the dots where it seemed there was a large gap. The concept is so new to me that it almost seem s to have come out of nowhere upon first reading about it. However, once looked at critically it is more understandable how the idea came about and how it fits into the evolutionary scale.

Connection

The idea in this chapter reminds me of the personal debate of religion vs. science that Francis Collins discussed in his presentation. I find the fact that many people will accept microevolution to be true but not believe in macroevolution. I understand the conflict that arises with religion and science but with so much evidence for both kinds of evolution it seems as if people that don’t believe in the latter have simply not given sufficient time into studying the evidence.

Vocabulary

1.      Tool kit- the term for the creation of the different functions of a gene.

2.      Microevolution – variation and evolution of species

3.      Macroevolution- complex development of species

Key Concepts

1.      Many traits can be linked because it is a different version of the same trait that another animal has, made by using the same building units with simply different amounts of units.

2.      The different patterns and colors of wings are made after accumulating a large variation of patterns and colors.

3.      The same tool kit can serve several different functions for different parts of the gene