Evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) was instituted in the early 1980s as a distinctive field of study to characterise the new synthesis of evolution hypothesis (Müller, 2007). Evo-devo is regarded as a new rule in evolutionary biology and a complement to neo-Darwinian theories. It has formed from the combination of molecular developmental biology and evolutionary molecular genetics; their integration has helped greatly to understand both of these fields. Evo-devo as a discipline has been exploring the role of the process of individual development and the changes in evolutionary phenotype, meaning the developmental procedure by which single-celled zygotes grow to be multicellular organisms. Alterations in the developmental program frequently cause differences in adult morphology. When these alterations are helpful, they grow to be fixed in a population and can result in the evolution of new phyla. Evo-devo seeks to figure out how new groups happen by understanding how the method of development has evolved in different lineages. In other word, evo-devo explains the interaction between phenotype and genotype (Hall, 2007). Explanation of morphological novelty of evolutionary origins is one of the middle challenges in current evolutionary biology, and is intertwined with energetic discussion regarding how to connect developmental biology to standard perspectives from the theory of evolution (Laubichler, 2010). A large amount of theoretical and experiential effort is being devoted to novelties that have challenged biologists for more than one hundred years, for instance, the basis of fins in fish, the fin-to-limb change and the evolution of feathers. The biology of development promises to formulate a main contribution to these...
... middle of paper ...
...is. Moreover, the relationship between neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory and evo-devo is highly contested (Hoekstra and Coyne, 2007; Minelli, 2010). However, the understanding of evo-devo methods and how the characteristics of the morphologies of different species diverged eventually is still comparatively limited. Craig (2010) stated that this field has obviously contributed to the understanding of genes and, subsequently, the understanding morphological characteristics of evolution in intricate organisms. There has been significant confirmation of evo-devo’s claim that regulatory modifications play an essential role in the evolution of shape. Evo-devo is the process of becoming a conceptual hub for an even larger integration of research areas in organismal biology, including genetics, ecology, paleontology, behavior, cognition, and other fields (Gerd B. Müller)
One could argue that our species does everything it can do secure a future for ourselves and our future generations. We have traveled to the stars and back, we explore every inch of our land and travel to the deepest depths of our oceans, and we probe the earth for any resources we can find, all in order to find the best possible option for the human species to survive. But are we really doing the right thing for our species to survive?
Robert Warren, Lisa Nagy, Jane Selegue, Julie Gates, and Sean Carroll produced this experiment that wanted to examine homeotic gene expression in butterflies. The hypothesis they tested was do homeotic genes have driven morphological change or do the homeotic genes provide a pre-existing plan where insects segment diversity evolved. The genes Antp, Scr, Abd-A, and Ubx were isolated from a cDNA library and were used to explore differences in limb and wing numbers between flies and butterflies. Where Ubx and Abd-A are expressed, the limb and wing numbers arose. They started to wonder if the expression of BX-C genes were different in butterflies (P.Coeni) and fruit flies (drosophila). When they did tests, they saw that conservation of BX-C and ANT-C homeotic gene expression are fundamentally similar and don’t explain the differences in appendages in each species. They looked into embryogenesis, and at 20% of the embryogenesis of butterflies, they saw Abd-A protein and RNA are expressed in the anterior and abdominal segments. High levels of Antp expression are seen in the thorax. Past the 20% mark of embryogenesis, the patterns seen of Abd-A, DII, and Antp expression differed extremely - no DII or Antp were expressed in the abdominal proleg.
Reznick, D. N. & Ricklefs, R. E., 2009. Darwin’s bridge between microevolution and macroevolution. Nature, Volume 457, pp. 837-842.
Darwin: A Norton Critical Edition, Second Edition ; ed. by Philip Appleman; copyright 1979, 1970 by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
According to The Princeton Guide of Evolution, evolution refers to change through time as species become modified and diverge to produce multiple descendant species (Losos et al. 2013). Charles Darwin proposed the idea of evolution as “decent with modification” in his book On the Origin of Species in 1859. He introduced the theory that natural selection was the mechanism of decent with modification. Individuals with certain heritable characteristics survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other individuals. Natural selection increases the adaptation of organisms to their environment over time. In this lab, the evolution of Anolis
The Hox genes are a set of related genes that code for transcription factors involved in determining the general body plan of an organism along the anterior to posterior axis. One unique feature of the hox gene is that its function and presence is highly conserved in a wide range of species, including the model organism Drosophila, amphibians, and mammals. Because of such a high level of homology amongst species where this gene cluster exists, conducting research using model organisms containing the hox gene cluster can lead to relevant discoveries in higher organisms and help to better understand evolutionary diversity. Another notable conserved feature of the hox genes is that they display colinearity, meaning that are they expressed along the anterior-posterior axis in the same order that they are organized within the chromosome. It is ultimately the HOX protein distribution that dictates the varying body architecture within a wide range of organisms that rely on the hox gene expression.
Whether it be at a high-end banquet or at a BBQ in the park, when conversing with a group of people it is often said to “never discuss religion and politics.” These are two topics that one is advised to stray away from when socializing with others due to the fact that some may have their heart and soul invested into the matter, thus revealing your opinions on “what is going to happen after we die” or “what political party is better” may lead to offensive comments and a chaotic argument. The caution of approaching these topics in conversation should also be the same when discussing evolution. When talking about evolution or sharing an opinion, one must tread lightly as one maybe stepping on a couple of toes with their opinions. The topic of evolution branches out into numerous theories and hypotheses that may be simple to a creationist or a biological scientist but to a person such as myself, evolution can be a labyrinth. Due to the numerous and perplex theories of evolution, my goal is to shine light and provide understanding for a single topic in relation to evolution. By no means is this factor more important than the others as mutation and genetic drift demonstrate an equal importance to evolution, however a vast ocean of biological information can not be explained by one student. The main focus of this paper is on a factor that is present in animal kingdoms all o...
According to Darwin and his theory on evolution, organisms are presented with nature’s challenge of environmental change. Those that possess the characteristics of adapting to such challenges are successful in leaving their genes behind and ensuring that their lineage will continue. It is natural selection, where nature can perform tiny to mass sporadic experiments on its organisms, and the results can be interesting from extinction to significant changes within a species.
There are many different theories as to what evolution is, but they all conclude that evolution is a change in species over time. The modern theory of evolution is based on the concept of natural selection. Natural selection is the metapho...
Senescence, usually defined as progressive loss of fertility and increasing probability of death with increasing age (Kirkwood and Austad 233), is clearly a process detrimental to an individual – and, at first glance, hard to reconcile with the process of natural selection ,which would work towards ensuring optimal survival and increasing fitness (reproductive success). It seems, at a cursory glance, that it would also work towards preventing the aging process because aging leads to increased mortality rates and decreased reproductive capability.
This chapter discusses The Evolutionary Perspective, Genetic Foundations, reproductive Challenges, and Heredity-Environment Interactions. Natural selection is the process by which those individuals of a species that are best adapted survive and reproduce. Darwin proposed that natural selection fuels evolution. In evolutionary theory, adaptive behavior is behavior that promotes the organism’s survival in a natural habitat. Evolutionary psychology holds that adaptation, reproduction, and “survival of the fittest” are important in shaping behavior. Ideas proposed by evolutionary developmental psychology include the view that an extended childhood period is needed to develop a large brain and learn the complexity of human social communities. According to Baltes, the benefits resulting from evolutionary selection decrease with age mainly because of a decline in reproductive fitness. At the same time, cultural needs increase. Like other theoretical approaches to development, evolutionary psychology has limitations. Bandura rejects “one-sided evolutionism” and argues for a bidirectional lin...
Looking at Physical Development it can be seen if the process of genes and environment operating together influence development. As the environment is constantly changing humankind needs to have changeable characteristics, some of which are physical, this is known as “Developmental Plasticity”. Piaget studied water snails and found that shape of the snails shell varied depending on its habitat. Pond snails had longer shells than lake snails who had shorter shells to suit the water turbulence. Suggesting that cells have the properties to change and become “self-organising”, cells can change the way they are developing in response to environmental stimuli. It is argued that genes can be switched “on” or “off” in response to this environmental stimuli and can alter the characteristics they produce.
Evolution is defined as the change of hereditary characteristics of populations over generations (Caroll, 2009). The environment is continually changing therefore organisms have to change in order to stand the changes in environment so they can survive and reproduce (Caroll, 2009). Regular change in genetic material of organisms over generations can lead to the development of new species that are more adapted to the environment (Caroll, 2009). It is said that failure to evolve may lead to extinction of a species (Caroll, 2009).
Without evolution, and the constant ever changing environment, the complexity of living organisms would not be as it is. Evolution is defined as a process that results in heritable changes in a population spread over many generations (8).Scientists believe in the theory of evolution. This belief is based on scientific evidence that corroborates the theory of evolution. In Figure 1 the pictures of the skulls depict the sequence of the evolution of Homo-sapiens. As the figure shows, man has evolved from our common ancestor that is shared by homo-sapiens. The change of diet of homo-sapiens over time has thought to contribute to the change in jaw structure and overall skull shape.
The world we live in today is full of an exceptional variety of animals. The time it took to conclude to the various sorts of species seen today has been throughout a period of millions of years. The vast majority of these animals are accredited to evolutionary advancements. When the environment changes, organisms have become accustomed to changing to fit their environment, to ensure their species does not die off. These physical changes have resulted in different phyla, ranging from basic structures, like sponges to advance systems, like that of an octopus.