GUIMBAOLIBOT, Joenio A. B.S.

in ChE 1010540 CHEE 593 Molecular Biology / CH51FC1 Reading Assignment # 1

Executive Summary on Genetics and the Origin of Species: An Introduction The module discussed was about the development of a theory that has to be justified further. Dobzhansky was a key author of the Synthetic Theory of Evolution, also known as the Modern Synthesis of Evolutionary Theory, which embodies a complex array of biological knowledge centered on Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection embedded in genetic terms. Darwinian Theory, also called as Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection, summarized as: As many more individuals are produced than can possibly survive, there must in every case be a struggle for existence, either one individual with another of the same species, or with the individuals of distinct species, or with the physical conditions of life. Can it, then, be thought improbable, seeing that variations useful to man have undoubtedly occurred, that other variations, useful in some way to each being in the great and complex battle of life, should sometimes occur in the course of thousands of generations? If such do occur, can we doubt (remembering that many more individuals are born than can possibly survive) that individuals having any advantage, however slight, over others, would have the best chance of surviving and of procreating their kind? On the other hand, we may feel sure that any variation in the least degree injurious would be rigidly destroyed. This preservation of favorable variations and the rejection of injurious variations, I call Natural Selection. Darwins argument was that natural selection emerged as an essential assumption from two premises: The first premise was that the assumption that hereditary variations useful to organisms occur, and the last was observation that more individuals were produced than could possibly survive. The most serious difficulty facing Darwins evolutionary theory was the lack of

an adequate theory of inheritance that would account for the preservation through the generations of the variations on which natural selection was supposed to act. That is what Dobzhansky focused not only on Darwins theory but also to Gregor Mendels discovery and experiments. Dobzhansky implies that the missing link to Darwins theory was the Mendelian Genetics wherein he formulated the principles of the theory of heredity which relates to biological inheritance of specie through a particulate/gene inherited one from each parent which do not mix or blend but segregate in the formation of sex cells. Dobzhanskys Genetics and the Origin of Species adjusted their formulations in language that biologists could understand, dressed the equations with natural history and experimental population genetics, and extended the synthesis to speciation and other cardinal problems omitted by the mathematicians.

After Mendels discovery, his publications about his experiments and discoveries was unknown to a lot of scientists. Scientists before focused on Darwins theory. But in the 1900s, Mendels publication was already mentioned by the relationship of inheritance in the evolution.

One of them was Hugo de Vries. He proposed a new theory of evolution known as mutationism, which essentially did away with natural selection as a major evolutionary process. According to him, there were two kinds of variation in organisms. One was the ordinary variation observed among individuals of a species, which was of no lasting consequence in evolution because, according to him, it could not lead to a transgression of the species border even under conditions of the most stringent and continued selection. The other consists of the changes brought about by mutations, spontaneous alterations of genes that yield large modifications of the organism and give rise to new species. According to de Vries, a new species originates suddenly, produced by the existing one without any visible preparation and without transition.

Another was the neo-Lamarckism. This hypothesis shared with Lamarcks original theory the importance of use and disuse in the development and obliteration of organs, and it added

the notion that the environment acts directly on organic structures, which explained their adaptation to the ways of life and environments of each organism. Supporters of this theory rejected natural selection as an explanation for adaptation to the environment.

Dobzhanskys Genetics and the Origin of Species advanced a reasonably comprehensive account of the evolutionary process in genetic terms, laced with experimental evidence supporting the theoretical arguments. It had an huge impact on naturalists and experimental biologists, who rapidly embraced the new understanding of the evolutionary process as one of genetic change in populations. Interest in evolutionary studies was greatly stimulated, and contributions to the theory soon began to follow, extending the synthesis of genetics and natural selection to a variety of biological fields. The main writers who, together with Dobzhansky, may be considered the architects of the synthetic theory were the zoologists Ernst Mayr and Julian Huxley, the paleontologist George G. Simpson, and the botanist George Ledyard Stebbins. These researchers contributed to a burst of evolutionary studies in the traditional biological disciplines and in some emerging onesparticularly population genetics and, later, evolutionary ecology. And in by 1950, acceptance of Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection was universal among biologists, and the synthetic theory had become widely adopted.

Through this theory, Dobzhanskys discoveries were supported by many scientists to prove about evolution, inheritance and genetics. Many of the scientists mentioned to the development enable to prove further through numerous situations or adaptations that a microorganism or certain specie should have. With the discovery of the DNA molecule, many variations have been discovered from simple specie of fruitfly, to produce many generations of the same kind, through viruses and its influence to the surroundings.

The ultimate source of genetic variation was thought to be gene mutation. Dobzhansky was soon to realize that chromosomal mutations could also play important roles in the evolution proper.

Barbara McClintock first discovered the significance of the transposable elements would become apparent only several decades later. Transposable elements was emphasized further by Margaret G. Kidwell and Damon Lisch, were pervasive in many kinds of organisms and account for 1015% of the Drosophilas genome and more than 50% of maizes. Transposable elements provide genetic variation on a scale and variety that could, hardly have been imagined even a few years ago.

They pointed out the manifold effects of transposable elements. In the genotype, they are involved in many gene mutations, are ubiquitous, and incessantly shift their numbers and locations. Transposable elements modify phenotypes as well, subtly in some cases, causing drastic alternations of development and organization in others. From an evolutionary perspective, transposable elements may be seen as parasites of genomes, but like with other parasites, organisms have often become coadapted with them and have even learned to subvert them for their own benefit.

For many years of endless discoveries, it takes only one man to prove one of the very essential laws that science has to offer, which pertains to life. Dobzhansky together with other scientists provided some valid justifications from the works of Gregor Mendels heredity law and Charles Darwins Theory of Natural selection.

Reaction Paper on Genetics and the Origin of Species: An Introduction As I read the reading assignment, the scientists first came to my mind was Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendel. They were the pioneer with regards to their field of specialization. Darwin provided his point of view regarding evolution. And also, Gregor Mendel delivered his experiments that were conducted during his time. But as I read on the module, I noticed that there were many scientists that supported the discoveries of Darwin and Mendel. But on that league of scientists, only Theodocius Dobzhansky able to relates the works of Darwin and Mendel. On Dobzhanskys discovery, he pointed out the relationship of evolution to heredity. And also, he published it so that many more scientists will be able to discover furthermore. Even though Mendels works were recognized 50 years ago, the scientist took them to consider because of the genes relationship to evolution of species. I thought that heredity and evolution goes together through the discoveries and conclusions shown in the module. It will help to understand what this type of genetic material will adopt to a certain environment as well as to evolve or transform depending also to its environment. As Chemical Engineers in the near future, we must also take this challenge to develop new discoveries and also, what will be our part in order to develop certain bioprocesses and relate them to genetics and evolution of species. We have to develop some genetic materials that can be converted to energy, to have mass production, and to utilize growth and development of a certain bioprocesses. I thought those pioneered scientists took their part on founding their discoveries. And now, it is our part to develop them and use their discoveries for the benefit of mankind.