In this article scientists studied the evolution of human digestive tracts through cannibal tadpoles. Two species of frog which they estimated diverged from a common ancestor 110 million years ago, the African clawed frog and Budgett's frog, were studied. The African clawed frog tadpoles survive primarily on algae and cannot process insects or proteins until they become adults; the Budgett's frog, however, has a much more complex digestive system as a tadpole and is cannibalistic. Scientists introduced molecules that inactivated genes into the guts of the African clawed frog and found that they developed a digestive tract similar to the Budgett's frog; similarly, they found that when the opposite molecules were introduced to Budgett's frog, they developed a more simple digestive system. This study supports the theory of evolution and the scientists hope it can help them understand the mechanisms behind human birth defects involving the digestive tract.
NOS themes:
-Role of chance; the scientists did not know that introducing the molecules into the frogs's digestive systems would have such an interesting effect
-Science is based on evidence; one of the reasons that the scientists conducted this study was to gain evidence for the theory of evolution.
-Role of motivation and curiosity; the scientists were motivated to conduct this study by the devastating effects of human birth defects involving the digestive system.
Wow, its amazing what scientist can do now with gene research. I hope these scientists find significant evidence to help them prevent human birth defects. I read an article that talked about personalized medicine. It's a really cool possibility that everyone will have specific medication created for them based on their genetic makeup.
ReplyDeleteLInk:
http://www.nature.com/jhg/focus/genetic_advancement/index.html
It is interesting that scientists are able to learn a lot from ancestors of frogs millions of years ago. It is cool that the scientists were able to introduce molecules that could make the digestive systems more simple. I wonder if the Budgett's frogs with the simpler digestive system will need its teeth like things in its mouth. (I learned that the Budgetts frog has things essentially like teeth.)
ReplyDeleteLink:http://www.reptilechannel.com/frogs-amphibians/frog-and-toad-care/budgetts-frogs.aspx