Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Peter P. · 02-19-2002, 05:14 PM

Today in my bio class I heard about the theory of evolutionary cycling. The theory as exists is that essentially as genomes assimilate more and more DNA through different processes, genomes become so cumbersome that previously specialized eukaryotic cells eventually revert back to essentially prokaryotic cells. Of course, my knowledge on this is limited, but I was wondering if someone could shed some light on the topic.

Peter P.

tronvillain · 02-19-2002, 05:32 PM

I've never heard of it, and it sounds extremely unlikely.

Oolon Colluphid · 02-20-2002, 01:37 AM

New one on me too. Any further details, refs etc Peter?

Cheers, Oolon

Late_Cretaceous · 02-20-2002, 10:09 AM

Genomes do not necessarily "get bigger" due to evolution. Not that it appears to make a difference when it does happen. Salamanders have something like 100 times the amount of genetic info as humans with no apparent drawbacks. Many plants have hundreds, in some cases even over a thousand, chromosomes with out any apparent harmfull side affects.

Boro Nut · 02-21-2002, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter P.:
<strong>Evolutionary Cycling </strong>

My understanding is it started with boneshakers before evolving to penny-farthings (you probably know these as nickel dimes). Once the chain drive and trapezoidal frame were introduced, further evolution has really been limited to whistles and bells (pardon the pun).

Boro Nut

Oolon Colluphid · 02-21-2002, 01:36 PM

Boro, it seems I am Mystic Meg. I somehow knew you'd say something like that.

Oolon

02-19-2002, 05:14 PM	#1
Peter P. Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 23	Evolutionary Cycling Today in my bio class I heard about the theory of evolutionary cycling. The theory as exists is that essentially as genomes assimilate more and more DNA through different processes, genomes become so cumbersome that previously specialized eukaryotic cells eventually revert back to essentially prokaryotic cells. Of course, my knowledge on this is limited, but I was wondering if someone could shed some light on the topic. Peter P.

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02-19-2002, 05:32 PM	#2
tronvillain Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 5,658	I've never heard of it, and it sounds extremely unlikely.

02-20-2002, 01:37 AM	#3
Oolon Colluphid Contributor Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Alibi: ego ipse hinc extermino Posts: 12,591	New one on me too. Any further details, refs etc Peter? Cheers, Oolon

02-20-2002, 10:09 AM	#4
Late_Cretaceous Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,049	Genomes do not necessarily "get bigger" due to evolution. Not that it appears to make a difference when it does happen. Salamanders have something like 100 times the amount of genetic info as humans with no apparent drawbacks. Many plants have hundreds, in some cases even over a thousand, chromosomes with out any apparent harmfull side affects.

02-21-2002, 01:36 PM	#6
Oolon Colluphid Contributor Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Alibi: ego ipse hinc extermino Posts: 12,591	Boro, it seems I am Mystic Meg. I somehow knew you'd say something like that. Oolon

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