The Role Played by Evolution - Research Paper Example

Annotated Bibliography: Evolution Pickrell, J. “Introduction: Evolution – Life.” Science News and Science Jobs from New Scientist. September 4, 2006. Web. November 22, 2012. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9953-introduction-evolution.html?full=true. The article explores the different facets of evolution based on Darwin’s theory. Moreover, it distinguishes evolution as the binding force in other fields of biology such as palaeontology, microbiology and genetics. To this end, the author recognizes the role played by evolution in shaping over five million living organisms on the Earth. Moreover, the article elaborates on the several facets of evolution. This includes the notion that all living species share a common ancestry. Consequently, the theory states that there exists a relation among the entire world’s species. The second facet pertains to the process of natural selection that drives evolution. Evidently, the natural selection process is also known as the survival of the fittest. Thus, the author offers an explanation of survival of the fittest theory or the natural selection process. Evidently, the theory was formulated by Darwin who believed that all species struggled to fight for limited resources. However, Darwin theorized that each individual species possessed a difference in gene superiority that exhibited greater survival chances. "What is Evolution?" Science – AllAboutScience.org. allaboutscience.org, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. . The article begins by delving into the definition of evolution. To this end, it defines evolution as a systematic process whereby an organism undergoes change into a more complex and enhanced form. Moreover, the article acknowledges that the evolution theory has been used to explain life on earth. In addition, the article elaborates on the various components of evolution. They include micro evolution, natural selection, and macro evolution. Thus, the article explains that evolution is driven by natural selection whereby “abnormal” organisms are able to endure an environmental change and become the “new normal.” Consequently, the organism evolves into a new life form. Moreover, the article reveals that organisms that are unable to adapt to changes in the environment eventually die. In reference to micro evolution, the article stipulates that there are variations that occur within a species. For example, micro evolution is used to explain how wolves, foxes, dogs, coyotes, jackals and dingoes evolved from a parent pair of dogs. Incidentally, the variations occur in a downward manner and are limited by genetic codes. This means that species such as dogs do not develop new limbs such as wings and change to flying. To this end, there is neither loss in genetic information nor any further addition. On the other hand, macro evolution relates to the important or greater changes in the primary functions by organisms. Moreover, macro evolution involves change from a particular kind of animal or plant into another. In addition, it occurs after several genetic mutations as opposed to during the life of a single organism. Thus, macro evolution attempts to offer an explanation of how the millions of different species came into existence. Kim, Seongcheol, Pudur Jagadeeswaran, Vrinda Kulkarni, and Maira Carrillo. "PLOS ONE: Evolution of Primary Hemostasis in Early Vertebrates." PLOS ONE: Accelerating the Publication of Peer-Reviewed Science. PLoS ONE, 1 Jan. 2009. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0008403. The primary research article delves into the evolution of primary hemostasis in early vertebrates. To this end, the authors define hemostasis as a defensive system that protects an organism by stopping bleeding when an injury occurs. Evidently, the researchers discovered that the main hemostatic factors in mammals were present in the early vertebrates. Moreover, they acknowledged that the exposure of the vascularised and high blood pressure gills of fish to the environment made them susceptible to injury and fatality. Thus, the researchers formulated a hypothesis to the effect that trypsin or ferments similar to proteases in the epithelial gill cells had the capacity to protect the marine fish from gill bleeding. Consequently, the authors investigated the production of three variant forms of trypsins from the fish gills. This release occurred when the fish gills were faced with injury or stress. The research conducted tests on the genome of zebrafish whereby 27 protease-activated receptors (PARs) were established and divided into five groups. These groups were classified on tethering peptides, homologies and families of PAR2 and PAR1. Incidentally, a canonical constituent of PAR2 known as PAR2-21A was established upon its activation by trypsin. Evidently, the results showed that thrombocytes were activated by trypsin and consequently protected against bleeding in the fish gills. Consequently, the researchers concluded that fish gills were selected via an evolutionary process so as to release trypsin that stimulates PAR2. Furthermore, PAR2 acts on the surface of thrombocytes to protect against bleeding in the gills. "Mutations." Understanding Evolution. berkeley.edu, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/ article/0_0_0/evo_18. The website article delves into the intricate topic of mutation as a form of evolution. To this end, the article defines evolution as a change in the hereditary composition of life that is the DNA. Moreover, the article stipulates that DNA of an organism affects its physiology, behaviour and appearance. Consequently, the article speculates that changes within the DNA results to an absolute change in the organism’s life. Moreover, the article states that mutations occur in a random process. Evidently, mutations can result in harm, benefit or neutrality for the organism. However, mutations do not attempt to fulfil the needs for an organism. Consequently, they are random in occurrence. The article equally reiterates that mutations occur in several places and they are not all based on evolutionary precincts. Thus, the article cites somatic mutation which is evident in non-reproductive cells. Consequently, they are not passed down to offspring. "Charles Darwin – Galapagos." Galapagos Conservation Trust – Home. savegalapagos.org, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. . The article delves into the research work undertaken by Charles Darwin in the Galapagos Islands finches. The research work undertaken by Darwin provided him with sufficient evidence to formulate his theory of natural selection. Darwin had noticed that the island finches exhibited differences in the beak size and structure. Furthermore, he noticed that the beaks were different based on the types of food consumed. Consequently, Darwin believed that the migration of the birds to different parts of the island resulted in adaptations which led to changes in the beak size, shape and structure. Read More