RE: Unanswered questions
September 9, 2013 at 12:39 am
(This post was last modified: September 9, 2013 at 12:46 am by pineapplebunnybounce.)
Ok, I really hate to get into evolution "debates".
But here are some facts that may be causing this confusion:
1. Mutation is just the change in genetic information that happens a) during DNA replication, b) radioactive/other damage to DNA. So since everything that we are is coded by our DNA, every phenotypic trait has a genetic component. The difference that I think you (Drich), may be caught up in, is whether the phenotype is caused by a single nucleotide mutation (look up SNP mutation), or if it has additive effects and is based on many many genes. Either way, as long as you agree that all phenotypic traits are coded by genes, and that change in genetic information qualifies as mutation, then every new trait that shows up in a population would qualify as a mutation.
2. Evolution doesn't stop happening. But the rate of evolution varies according to selection pressures, so if the pressure is strong (as it is now for many organisms), we do expect to see a higher rate of evolution, meaning faster changes. Few seasons of drought can dramatically change many organisms. I can grab my book and list off a few things for you, but I think that would be futile as I saw a few people have already given you examples.
Edit: the question about the plant. Without looking into it at all (and I won't be doing that, busy at the moment), my first guess would be the plant's ability to take up light is additive (density of chromosomes very likely), and it has more than is needed as a back up mechanism that is commonly seen in biology. Or, even more plausible, plants that are in places of low light have higher sensitivity and when placed somewhere that has more sunlight is able to take up all of it. OR MAYBE IT'S GOD.
But here are some facts that may be causing this confusion:
1. Mutation is just the change in genetic information that happens a) during DNA replication, b) radioactive/other damage to DNA. So since everything that we are is coded by our DNA, every phenotypic trait has a genetic component. The difference that I think you (Drich), may be caught up in, is whether the phenotype is caused by a single nucleotide mutation (look up SNP mutation), or if it has additive effects and is based on many many genes. Either way, as long as you agree that all phenotypic traits are coded by genes, and that change in genetic information qualifies as mutation, then every new trait that shows up in a population would qualify as a mutation.
2. Evolution doesn't stop happening. But the rate of evolution varies according to selection pressures, so if the pressure is strong (as it is now for many organisms), we do expect to see a higher rate of evolution, meaning faster changes. Few seasons of drought can dramatically change many organisms. I can grab my book and list off a few things for you, but I think that would be futile as I saw a few people have already given you examples.
Edit: the question about the plant. Without looking into it at all (and I won't be doing that, busy at the moment), my first guess would be the plant's ability to take up light is additive (density of chromosomes very likely), and it has more than is needed as a back up mechanism that is commonly seen in biology. Or, even more plausible, plants that are in places of low light have higher sensitivity and when placed somewhere that has more sunlight is able to take up all of it. OR MAYBE IT'S GOD.
