The mega‐evolution of life with its three memory systems depends on sender–receiver communication and problem‐solving. A narrative review DOI Creative Commons
Arnold De Loof

The Journal of Physiology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 602(11), P. 2417 - 2431

Published: Sept. 18, 2023

Abstract It should be the ultimate goal of any theory evolution to delineate contours an integrative system answer question: How does life (in all its complexity) evolve (which can called mega‐evolution)? But how plausibly define ‘life’? My (1994–2023) is: ‘life’ sounds like a noun, but denotes activity, and thus is verb. Life ( L ) nothing else than total sum (∑) acts communication (transfer information) C executed by type senders–receivers at their levels (up least 15) compartmental organization: = ∑ . The ‘communicating compartment’ better suited serve as universal unit structure, function cell, smallest such unit. By paying much importance activity Central Dogma molecular biology, wealth new insights unfold. major ones are follows. (1) Living compartments have not only genetic memory (DNA), also still enigmatic cognitive electrical (and triple system). (2) Complex up three types progeny: descendants/children, pupils/learners electricians. (3) Of particular adaptation, act problem‐solving because messages need decoded. Hence through that precedes selection, itself driving force own (a very clever counterintuitive unexpected logical deduction). Perhaps, this ‘vital force’ philosopher Nobel laureate 1927) Henri Bergson searched for did find. image

Language: Английский

Social tipping processes towards climate action: A conceptual framework DOI
Ricarda Winkelmann, Jonathan F. Donges, E. Keith Smith

et al.

Ecological Economics, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 192, P. 107242 - 107242

Published: Oct. 19, 2021

Language: Английский

Citations

167
How does epigenetics influence the course of evolution? DOI
Alyson Ashe, Vincent Colot, Benjamin P. Oldroyd

et al.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 376(1826), P. 20200111 - 20200111

Published: April 17, 2021

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that can be transmitted through cell divisions but cannot explained by DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms are central to regulation, phenotypic plasticity, development and preservation genome integrity. often held make a minor contribution evolutionary change because epigenetic states typically erased reset at every generation, therefore, not heritable. Nonetheless, there growing appreciation variation makes direct indirect contributions processes. First, some intergenerationally affect phenotype offspring. Moreover,

Language: Английский

Citations

141
Slime Mould and Philosophy DOI
Matthew Sims

Published: Dec. 10, 2024

Physarum polycephalum, also known more colloquially as 'the blob', 'acellular slime mould', or just 'slime is a unicellular multinucleate protist that has continued to attract the interest of biologists over past century because its complex life cycle, unique physiology, morphology, and behaviour. More recently, attention shifted model organism for investigating putative cognitive capacities such decision making, learning, memory in organisms without nervous systems. The aim this Element illustrate how can be used valuable tool approaching various topics philosophy biology. behaviour not only pose challenge some received views biological processes but also, I shall argue, provide an opportunity clarify appropriately sharpen concepts underlying views.

Language: Английский

Citations

15
Epigenetic variation in animal populations: Sources, extent, phenotypic implications, and ecological and evolutionary relevance DOI
Günter Vogt

Journal of Biosciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 46(1)

Published: March 4, 2021

Language: Английский

Citations

42
The learning-consciousness connection DOI Creative Commons
Jonathan Birch, Simona Ginsburg, Eva Jablonka

et al.

Biology & Philosophy, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 36(5)

Published: Oct. 1, 2021

Abstract This is a response to the nine commentaries on our target article “Unlimited Associative Learning: A primer and some predictions”. Our responses are organized by theme rather than author. We present minimal functional architecture for Unlimited Learning (UAL) that aims tie together list of capacities presented in article. explain why we discount higher-order thought (HOT) theories consciousness. respond criticism have overplayed importance learning underplayed spatial modelling. decline invitation add negative marker proposed positive so as rule out consciousness plants, but nonetheless maintain there no evidence plants. close discussing how UAL relates development its material substrate.

Language: Английский

Citations

36
Physiological mechanisms of stress-induced evolution DOI Open Access
Elizabeth A. Mojica,

Dietmar Kültz

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 225(Suppl_1)

Published: March 8, 2022

Organisms mount the cellular stress response whenever environmental parameters exceed range that is conducive to maintaining homeostasis. This critical for survival in emergency situations because it protects macromolecular integrity and, therefore, cell/organismal function. From an evolutionary perspective, counteracts severe by accelerating adaptation via a process called stress-induced evolution. In this Review, we summarize five key physiological mechanisms of Namely, these are changes in: (1) mutation rates, (2) histone post-translational modifications, (3) DNA methylation, (4) chromoanagenesis and (5) transposable element activity. Through each mechanisms, organisms rapidly generate heritable phenotypes may be adaptive, maladaptive or neutral specific contexts. Regardless their consequences individual fitness, produce phenotypic variation at population level. Because fuels natural selection, evolution increase likelihood populations can avoid extirpation instead adapt under new conditions.

Language: Английский

Citations

28
Teleonomy: Revisiting a Proposed Conceptual Replacement for Teleology DOI Creative Commons

Max Dresow,

Alan C. Love

Biological Theory, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(2), P. 101 - 113

Published: Jan. 20, 2023

The concept of teleonomy has been attracting renewed attention recently. This is based on the idea that provides a useful conceptual replacement for teleology, and even it constitutes an indispensable resource thinking biologically about purposes. However, both these claims are open to question. We review history teleological from Greek antiquity modern period illuminate tensions ambiguities emerged when forms reasoning interacted with major developments in biological thought. sets stage examination Pittendrigh's (Adaptation, natural selection, behavior. In: Roe A, Simpson GG (eds) Behavior evolution. Yale University Press, New Haven, pp 390-416, 1958) introduction "teleonomy" its early uptake work prominent biologists. then explore why subsequently foundered consider whether term may yet have significance discussions goal-directedness evolutionary biology philosophy science. involves clarifying relationship between explanation, as well asking how impinges research at frontiers theory.

Language: Английский

Citations

14
Engineering is evolution: a perspective on design processes to engineer biology DOI Creative Commons
Simeon D. Castle, Michiel Stock, Thomas E. Gorochowski

et al.

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: April 29, 2024

Abstract Careful consideration of how we approach design is crucial to all areas biotechnology. However, choosing or developing an effective methodology not always easy as biology, unlike most engineering, able adapt and evolve. Here, put forward that evolution follow a similar cyclic process therefore methods, including traditional design, directed evolution, even random trial error, exist within evolutionary spectrum. This contrasts with conventional views often place these methods at odds provides valuable framework for unifying engineering approaches challenging biological problems.

Language: Английский

Citations

6
The Organism in Evolutionary Explanation: From Early Twentieth Century to the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis DOI Creative Commons
Jan Baedke, Alejandro Fábregas‐Tejeda

Evolutionary Biology/Evolutionary biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 121 - 150

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Abstract In recent years there have been a number of calls for integrating developmental and organismal phenomena into evolutionary theory. This so-called Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) argues that theory should not primarily explain certain by highlighting genes populations but organisms instead, in particular how their development behavior biases drives change. Here, we offer new historiography focuses less on the differences between EES Modern seeks to provide better understanding about which theoretical explanatory traditions organism-centered framework draws on. concerns especially three currently resurfacing roles granted evolution: allow (1) contextualizing parts development, genes, (2) focusing reciprocal organism-environment relations (in contrast to, e.g., gene-environment interactions), (3) understand role agency evolution. Through this analysis, show advances revival older organism research, became marginalized second half twentieth century. perspective helps re-center contemporary debates towards relevant questions standards biology.

Language: Английский

Citations

12
Disparate and parallel craniofacial climatic adaptations in native populations of Asia, North America, and South America DOI Creative Commons
Andrej Evteev, Taisiya A. Syutkina,

Alexandra Grosheva

et al.

Journal of Anatomy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 245(5), P. 699 - 724

Published: Aug. 26, 2024

Abstract Understanding the impact that climate had in shaping cranial variation is critical for inferring evolutionary mechanisms played a role human diversification. Here, we provide comprehensive study aiming to analyze association between and of high latitude populations living temperate cold environments Asia, North America, South America. For this, compiled large morphometric dataset ( N = 2633), which was combined with climatic genomic data. We tested influence on facial skeleton, nasal protrusion, vault through multiple statistical tests at two geographical scales: intracontinental intercontinental. show areas share morphological pattern characterized by an increase height, orbital heights widths, decrease larger, longer, lower vaults. There are also distinctive features; from north Asia present tallest noses, largest faces, vaults whole sample. Nasal breadth dimensions small values Asians, Americans, non‐significant changes arctic The may be result parallel adaptation, as supported physiological, morphometric, ecological, genetic explanations, while differences magnitude phenotypic expression could due diverse population histories, severity climate, cultural strategies. Overall, our shows relevant factor modern morphology it should considered when studying evolution

Language: Английский

Citations

4