Evolutionist can you answer this question?

Question

Through the evolutionary process how does information increase on the genome? Or in other words how can point mutations create new chromosomes or lengthen a strand of DNA? I.e. mice have 20 chromosones , humans have 23 and dogs have 39. How can genetic mutations create new chromosones?


I doubt that anyone can give me a satisfactory answer (but if you can provide a link) because this is one of the holes in the theory. And no this is not creationists propaganda, but a genuine question about the theory.

Gjmb - Saying that information increased by genetic mutations begs the question. How?

Not epicurus - You`re an idiot!

Answer 1

This is more based in genetics than anything, you be better off asking in the Biology category, ya know where people who can give you _real_ answers hang out.

Basically, new genes can come about through the duplication of other genes during cell-division. A good example of a duplicated gene is the X chromosome in females. This is a method of increasing the space available for genetic information, simple mutations of the copies or originals can potentially increase the information stored in the genome whilst retaining the original, that is assuming the additional copy doesn't have adverse effects on the individual's ability to reproduce - duplication of X in males generally renders them sterile as well as inducing some mental disability.

Does that help you out? I don't mean to sound rude but are you just going to dismiss this as not a "satisfactory answer"? It is not so much a hole in evolution theory as genetics have it covered, it's more a hole in your understanding of it, no offense intended.

Answer 2

This is an interesting question, but point mutations (the substitution or deletion of one nucleotide on the genome) are only one of a whole range of types of mutation that have been observed.

For example, mutations can include duplications of bases or entire strings of genetic material. These duplications can themselves mutate. The development of colour vision from the duplication of the preexisting opsin gene in monkeys is a notable example of this, and is "new information" in any useful definition of the term.

http://www.genome.org/cgi/content/full/9/7/629

For a more layman friendly explanation, see Richard Dawkins' "The Ancestor's Tale" - the chapter on the Howler Monkey. The rest of the book is also a great introduction to some of the more interesting aspects of evolutionary theory.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ancestor%27s_Tale

Answer 3

i see that you've cleverly constructed your question so as to be unanswerable ;)

point mutations by definition cannot increase the size of chromosomes, nor fuse or split existing chromosomes. point mutations involve simple replacement of one DNA base pair with a chemically different DNA base pair.

however, evidence of what actually occurs in genetics defeats your trivial logical argument. point mutations are not the only type of mutations. there are mutations that can do all of these things. check out the wikipedia article. a short list: insertions, deletions, duplications, translocations, inversions... it is all quite confusing to me actually, i am not a geneticist and my life doesn't depend on understanding this stuff. but one point is clear: mutations routinely occur that increase information (defined as the number of base pairs in the genome).

gene duplication is thought to be a particularly useful mechanism in this regard. bear in mind that it is not claimed that the results of gene duplication will be immediately useful... after all it's just a copy of an existing gene that has been produced. but what can happen is that the original gene can go on performing the function for which it was selected, while the copy mutates further and may discover other functions. the results of the entire process unambiguoulsy constitute new information, regardless of how one defines "information". (actually, precisely how to define information can be tricky...)

Answer 4

There are gene duplication events that can cause new information to be added. These duplicated genes are under less constraint and thus can mutate more frequently. This is just one way.

The better question to ask is how the first life could have developed. If it did develop how did it divide? How did it repair it's DNA without any DNA repair mechanisms. How did it form a cell wall. These are the questions that are the beginning of life on Earth and thus the start of evolution that cannot be answered at this time.

Answer 5

"How can genetic mutations create new chromosones ?"

And that is also the answer : by genetic mutation.

sometimes animals are born with two heads or 5 legs.
If that was an advantage in some environment, it is likely that this anima would get more childs with also 5 legs.

Answer 6

(Shakes head and sighs) Creationist...Creationist... Can any individual one in every of you assemble an issue with out numerable logical fallacies? First DNA can not turn out one species advanced from the opposite...Why? Because Genetic "mutations" arise whilst species evolve from the opposite, as a consequence the DNA might be moderately distinct. Furthermore we can not summary DNA from bone fossils. To resolve this quandary we ought to appear at present species "Genetic Code," to notice similarities and/or variations. The intent Biologist believe all lifestyles is expounded is that every one organisms (with minor exceptions) use the identical genetic code. The whole series of genes to your frame and the series in a frog`s are distinct. The placing truth, is the gene that codes for a given amino acid in a frog codes for that very identical amino acid in men and women..... Lets fail to remember approximately DNA and the entire overwhelming fossil proof, and cognizance on one more prudent truth. All human infants within the embryonic degree increase and lose "Gill Slits." Biologist time period this attribute "Vestigial Organs" they're features organisms have however now not want from pre-evolutionary lifeforms. Can any Creationist reply the query as to why earth headquartered organisms "Humans" increase and lose Gills? I believe no longer!

Answer 7

It's not a hole in the theory. A theory is a working and proven model. I think the preception that this is somehow a hole comes from not really understanding what DNA is. DNA is long chains of protein. Even limited types of protein can be combined in an extraordinary number of ways to code information. These protein chains can be longer or shorter. Nothing limits them from growing through many generations. In fact, if computers have taught us anything about storage of data, data tends to pile up quite quickly in an activity accessed arena.

Answer 8

One area or mechanism that I understand is at work is the fact that DNA has vast areas of redundancy and "dead space". I forget the term used for it at the moment but I recall that it is there and sometimes it can get activated. Anyway, the site below mightgive you answers.

Good question!

Answer 9

http://www.biology-online.org/2/7_mutations.htm


It's a genetic mutation.......think about it, it happens everyday. That's how we get men one of their chromosomes mutates into the Y chromosome.......Also look at Down Syndrome it is a lack of chromosones there are other dieseases which have more chromosones so yes it is possible.

Answer 10

Don't imagine that our feeble brains have the answer to all the the great scientific questions but that is no excuse for inventing gods and demons to fill the gaps in our knowledge.