( ght get introduced and derail the funct...)Pitt professor's theory of evolution gets boost from cell research

ght get introduced and derail the functioning of their cell. For instance, some proteins work to keep the cell membrane intact. Other proteins act as chaperones, bringing molecules to their proper locations in the cell, and so on. In short, with that kind of protection from change, it is very difficult for mutations, of whatever kind, to gain a foothold. But extreme stress pushes cells beyond their capacity to produce protective proteins, and then mutation can occur.

This revelation has enormous implications for the notion that organisms routinely change to adapt to the environment. Actually, Schwartz argues, it is the environment that knocks them off their equilibrium and as likely ultimately kills them as changes them. And so they are being rocked by the environment, not adapting to it.

The article's conclusions also have important implications for the notion of "fixing" the environment to protect endangered species. While it is indeed the environment causing the mutation, the resulting organism is in an altogether different environment by the time the novelty finally escapes its recessive state and expresses itself.

"You just can't do a quick fix on the environment to prevent extinction because the cause of the mutation occurred some time in the past, and you don't know what the cause of the stress was at that time," Schwartz said.

"This new understanding of how organisms change provides us with an opportunity to forestall the damage we might cause by unthinking disruption of the environment," added Schwartz. "The Sudden Origins theory, buttressed by modern cell biology, underscores the need to preserve the environment--not only to enhance life today, but to protect life generations from now."

Schwartz, with his colleague Ian Tattersall, curator of anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, also authored the four-volume The Human Fossil Record (Wiley-Liss, 2002-05). Together, the volumes represent
'"/>

Source:University of Pittsburgh

Page: 1 2 3
Related biology news :

1. Study casts doubt on Snowball Earth theory
2. Free-energy theory borne out in large-scale protein folding
3. New evidence supports century-old theory of cancer spread
4. Ernst Mayrs theory illustrated in genetic epidemiology studies
5. Why nerve cells work faster than the theory allows
6. Mayo Clinic researchers challenge sepsis theory
7. Methane-belching bugs inspire a new theory of the origin of life on Earth
8. New dyslexia theory blames noise
9. Hofmeyr skull supports the Out of Africa theory
10. Molecular biology fills gaps in knowledge of bat evolution
11. Same mutation aided evolution in many fish species, Stanford study finds