Biology was always my worst science subject (physics for the win!). But this was just too interesting not to post:
arstechnica.com : Tracking adaptation as bacteria evolve
A scientist with way more patience then I could ever muster has been tracking the evolution of 12 strains of E. Coli in his lab since 1988. He has now had over 44,000 generations play out.
The most fascinating thing was a change in one of the cell lines at around 33,000 generations:
The bacteria are growth-constrained by low levels of glucose, and most lines have evolved so that they burn through the glucose as quickly as possible, then wait for the next daily infusion. About 33,000 generations in, however, one line of bacteria did something else entirely: it began to digest the large amounts of citrate present in the media. This is more startling than it sounds, as E. coli is sometimes defined by its inability to metabolize citrate.
So now we have real scientific proof that a trait can evolve in a organism that wasn't present before through only mutation. That's a HUGE deal for the evolution camp.
Makes me want to run out and buy this shirt from xkcd.com:
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4 comments:
Sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out. Unfortunately I don't think it puts a nail in the coffin of the creationist/Evolution debate.
Normally I breeze as quickly as possible past all the fundy radio stations, but occasionally I'll catch a tibit of one of them talking about evolution and I'll stop and listen (know thine enemy so to speak) Most of what they talk about as science is well blatenly *not* science. However, most fundy creationists will cave and agree that microevolution does occur (change in genetic code over time) but that it doesn't lead to macroevolution (one species 'turning into' another)
New traits from mutation alone is definitely a step in the right direction, but I'll be happier when we can also put the micro to macro debate to bed with the krystian krazies as well.
Good point Chris. As one of the comments of this story mentioned, "We cannot disprove the guiding hand theory. The best we can hope for is to prove that it is not necessary".
DEATH TO SCIENCE!!!!!!! MY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR LITTLE ONE CELLED SOULS!!!!!!! MAY HE RECOMBINATE YOUR RNA TO MAKE WATER INTO WINE!!!! wait I like that idea!!
I love that shirt! Go Science!!! It works!
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