Researchers have developed a three dimensional simulation of the evolution of morphology by integrating the mechanisms of genetic regulation that take place during embryo development. The study shows the complexity of the genetic interactions that will eventually lead to the new phenotype of the adult's organ. In the field of evolution of organisms it is nearly impossible to set up experiments, given the time requirements, so it is compensated with virtual simulation. The researchers use a theoretical model based of embryo development, where populations of individuals can mutate their genes, just as in nature. By repeating the process generation through generation, the evolution can be see in action on a computer.
The graph of the virtual evolution process: the horizontal axis is the evolution time, and the vertical axis the the population's degree of evolutionary adaptation. The picture is that of a tooth that adapts by increasing the number of tips, moving from a simple tooth to a more complex tooth.
http://current.biologyguild.com/natural-selection-evolution-complex-organs/
Nic McKenney
Hour 1
NOS themes:
Science is subject to debate and tentative
Role of skepticism
Role of motivation and curiosity
This article is similar to one I reviewed which was also a evolution simulation. It would be almost impossible simulate the evolution of a species dew to the complexity of the organism and its environment. Most of the virtual simulations I have seen are of very simplified organisms with very few traits.
ReplyDeletea simple online evolution simulation:
boxcar2d.com
my blog post:
http://ephshonorsbioblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-evolution.html