The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change

The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change PDF Author: Richard C. Lewontin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Evolution
Languages : en
Pages : 372

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Book Description
In this volume the author surveys the many experiments using new molecular techniques that have revealed the enormous wealth of hereditary variation among individuals and have quantified the genetic changes that take place in the origin of new species. Dr. Lewontin proposes new theories to attack the problems which still confront the scientist. While a tremendous amount of variation has been revealed, a satisfactory explanation of the origin and maintenance of such variation is still lacking. It is not at all clear whether adaptive evolution makes use of the kind of genetic diversity that is now known to be so common. Populatin genetic theory, Dr. Lewontin observes, leads to conflicting conclusions about the forces operating on the variation, and it appears that current theory is inadequate to cope with the data. Noting that the interaction among genes in evolution is of primary importance in the interpretation of genetic change, he urges that theory needs to be developed which takes into account the evolution of the genome as a whole rather than the independent evolution of each gene. A book which summarizes in an unusually felicitous way the findings of the rapidly growing science of molecular evolution and points out new directions for its future.

The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change

The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change PDF Author: Richard C. Lewontin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Evolution
Languages : en
Pages : 372

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Book Description
In this volume the author surveys the many experiments using new molecular techniques that have revealed the enormous wealth of hereditary variation among individuals and have quantified the genetic changes that take place in the origin of new species. Dr. Lewontin proposes new theories to attack the problems which still confront the scientist. While a tremendous amount of variation has been revealed, a satisfactory explanation of the origin and maintenance of such variation is still lacking. It is not at all clear whether adaptive evolution makes use of the kind of genetic diversity that is now known to be so common. Populatin genetic theory, Dr. Lewontin observes, leads to conflicting conclusions about the forces operating on the variation, and it appears that current theory is inadequate to cope with the data. Noting that the interaction among genes in evolution is of primary importance in the interpretation of genetic change, he urges that theory needs to be developed which takes into account the evolution of the genome as a whole rather than the independent evolution of each gene. A book which summarizes in an unusually felicitous way the findings of the rapidly growing science of molecular evolution and points out new directions for its future.

Embryos, Genes, and Evolution

Embryos, Genes, and Evolution PDF Author: Rudolf A. Raff
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 436

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Book Description


The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change [By] R.C. Lewontin

The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change [By] R.C. Lewontin PDF Author: Richard C. Lewontin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Evolution
Languages : en
Pages : 346

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Book Description


Embryos, Genes and Evolution

Embryos, Genes and Evolution PDF Author: Rudolf A. Raff
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780608093581
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 421

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Book Description


Genetics of Adaptation

Genetics of Adaptation PDF Author: Rodney Mauricio
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402038364
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 207

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Book Description
An enduring controversy in evolutionary biology is the genetic basis of adaptation. Darwin emphasized "many slight differences" as the ultimate source of variation to be acted upon by natural selection. In the early 1900’s, this view was opposed by "Mendelian geneticists", who emphasized the importance of "macromutations" in evolution. The Modern Synthesis resolved this controversy, concluding that mutations in genes of very small effect were responsible for adaptive evolution. A decade ago, Allen Orr and Jerry Coyne reexamined the evidence for this neo-Darwinian view and found that both the theoretical and empirical basis for it were weak. Orr and Coyne encouraged evolutionary biologists to reexamine this neglected question: what is the genetic basis of adaptive evolution? In this volume, a new generation of biologists have taken up this challenge. Using advances in both molecular genetic and statistical techniques, evolutionary geneticists have made considerable progress in this emerging field. In this volume, a diversity of examples from plant and animal studies provides valuable information for those interested in the genetics and evolution of complex traits.

The Dialectical Biologist

The Dialectical Biologist PDF Author: Richard Levins
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674255313
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 322

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Book Description
Scientists act within a social context and from a philosophical perspective that is inherently political. Whether they realize it or not, scientists always choose sides. The Dialectical Biologist explores this political nature of scientific inquiry, advancing its argument within the framework of Marxist dialectic. These essays stress the concepts of continual change and codetermination between organism and environment, part and whole, structure and process, science and politics. Throughout, this book questions our accepted definitions and biases, showing the self-reflective nature of scientific activity within society.

Introduction to Evolutionary Genomics

Introduction to Evolutionary Genomics PDF Author: Naruya Saitou
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1447153049
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 476

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Book Description
This book is the first of its kind to explain the fundamentals of evolutionary genomics. The comprehensive coverage includes concise descriptions of a variety of genome organizations, a thorough discussion of the methods used, and a detailed review of genome sequence processing procedures. The opening chapters also provide the necessary basics for readers unfamiliar with evolutionary studies. Features: introduces the basics of molecular biology, DNA replication, mutation, phylogeny, neutral evolution, and natural selection; presents a brief evolutionary history of life from the primordial seas to the emergence of humans; describes the genomes of prokaryotes, eukaryotes, vertebrates, and humans; reviews methods for genome sequencing, phenotype data collection, homology searches and analysis, and phylogenetic tree and network building; discusses databases of genome sequences and related information, evolutionary distances, and population genomics; provides supplementary material at an associated website.

The Genetic Basis of Evolution

The Genetic Basis of Evolution PDF Author: Theodosius Dobzhansky
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Evolution
Languages : en
Pages : 14

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Book Description


Biology As Ideology

Biology As Ideology PDF Author: Richard Lewontin
Publisher: House of Anansi
ISBN: 0887848478
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 112

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Book Description
R. C. Lewontin is a prominent scientist -- a geneticist who teaches at Harvard -- yet he believes that we have placed science on a pedestal, treating it as an objective body of knowledge that transcends all other ways of knowing and all other endeavours. Lewontin writes in this collection of essays, which began their life as CBC Radio's Massey Lectures Series for 1990: "Scientists do not begin life as scientists, after all, but as social beings immersed in a family, a state, a productive structure, and they view nature through a lens that has been molded by their social experience... . Science, like the Church before it, is a supremely social institution, reflecting and reinforcing the dominant values and vices of society at each historical epoch." In Biology as Ideology Lewontin examines the false paths down which modern scientific ideology has led us. By admitting science's limitations, he helps us rediscover the richness of nature -- and appreciate the real value of science.

Environmental Epigenetics

Environmental Epigenetics PDF Author: L. Joseph Su
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1447166787
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 327

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Book Description
This book examines the toxicological and health implications of environmental epigenetics and provides knowledge through an interdisciplinary approach. Included in this volume are chapters outlining various environmental risk factors such as phthalates and dietary components, life states such as pregnancy and ageing, hormonal and metabolic considerations and specific disease risks such as cancer cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases. Environmental Epigenetics imparts integrative knowledge of the science of epigenetics and the issues raised in environmental epidemiology. This book is intended to serve both as a reference compendium on environmental epigenetics for scientists in academia, industry and laboratories and as a textbook for graduate level environmental health courses. Environmental Epigenetics imparts integrative knowledge of the science of epigenetics and the issues raised in environmental epidemiology. This book is intended to serve both as a reference compendium on environmental epigenetics for scientists in academia, industry and laboratories and as a textbook for graduate level environmental health courses.