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How Evolution Learns From Past Environments To Adapt To New Environments
Science Daily ^ | 11/10/2008

Posted on 11/10/2008 5:50:16 AM PST by Soliton

The evolution of novel characteristics within organisms can be enhanced when environments change in a systematic manner, according to a new study by Weizmann Institute researchers.

Merav Parter, Nadav Kashtan and Uri Alon suggest that in environments that vary over time in a non-random way, evolution can learn the rules of the environment and develop organisms that can readily generate novel useful traits with only a few mutations. Details are published November 7 in the open-access journal PLoS Computational Biology

In this study Parter, Kashtan and Alon began with the observation that environments in nature seemingly vary according to common rules or regularities. They proposed that organisms can learn how previous environments changed, and then use this information for their evolutionary advantage in the future. For example, if the available seeds tended to vary in size and hardness along history, then bird species might have learned to develop beaks with an easily tunable size and strength.

(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: evolution; lamarck; lamarckism; lysenko; lysenkoism
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To: allmendream
On a molecular basis that is a fairly high bar to clear, keeps out the ‘riff raff’. ;)

As a wise man once said, entropy is a beotch!

21 posted on 11/10/2008 3:56:35 PM PST by Soliton (This 2 shall pass)
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To: Soliton

That’s correct. It is stochastic. Big difference.


22 posted on 11/10/2008 3:58:14 PM PST by RightWhale (Exxon Suxx)
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To: Soliton
But entropy is a double edged sword.

Live by the sword. Die by the sword.

Life is dependent upon increasing environmental entropy in order to maintain a local pocket of reduced entropy.

23 posted on 11/10/2008 4:00:22 PM PST by allmendream (Wealth is EARNED not distributed.... so how could it be Redistributed?)
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To: Soliton

Evolution follows the laws of physics like everything else. It is therefore limited in the direction it can take.

So it’s governed by a law then....and, let me guess...laws evolve as well.....and don’t necessarily have a lawmaker either.....


24 posted on 11/12/2008 2:55:46 PM PST by scottdeus12 (Jesus is real, whether you believe in Him or not.)
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To: scottdeus12
So it’s governed by a law then....and, let me guess...laws evolve as well.....and don’t necessarily have a lawmaker either.....

The "laws" are simply part of the fabric of the universe. There is no need for a lawmaker.

25 posted on 11/12/2008 3:42:07 PM PST by Soliton (This 2 shall pass)
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To: Soliton

“The “laws” are simply part of the fabric of the universe. There is no need for a lawmaker.”

By definition, a law requires a lawmaker. Try again.

Fabric of the Universe....sounds like Carl Sagan.....lol.....


26 posted on 11/13/2008 2:22:26 PM PST by scottdeus12 (Jesus is real, whether you believe in Him or not.)
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To: scottdeus12
By definition, a law requires a lawmaker. Try again.

"a statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under the given conditions b: a general relation proved or assumed to hold between mathematical or logical expressions"

Making up definitions is a liars game.

27 posted on 11/13/2008 3:04:24 PM PST by Soliton (This 2 shall pass)
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To: Soliton; scottdeus12
Making up definitions is a liars game.

 Then abandon evolutionary beliefs. 

28 posted on 11/13/2008 8:24:33 PM PST by valkyry1 (McCain/Palin 2008)
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To: valkyry1

I looked up the defibiyion of “law” as it applied to science and there wasn’t any mention of “lawgiver”. Lying for God is never right.


29 posted on 11/13/2008 11:56:54 PM PST by Soliton (This 2 shall pass)
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To: Soliton
Non Sequitur.
30 posted on 11/14/2008 12:29:33 AM PST by valkyry1 (McCain/Palin 2008)
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To: Soliton
Lying for God is never right.

Like I said, then abandon evolutionary beliefs.

31 posted on 11/14/2008 12:32:25 AM PST by valkyry1 (McCain/Palin 2008)
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To: valkyry1
Like I said, then abandon evolutionary beliefs.

If you don't like facts, go to the Religion forum. They're not allowed there.

32 posted on 11/14/2008 1:26:06 AM PST by Soliton (This 2 shall pass)
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To: Soliton

Your facts, as it applies to evolutionary beliefs, are very ephemeral, an illusion as it is.


33 posted on 11/14/2008 1:50:50 AM PST by valkyry1 (McCain/Palin 2008)
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To: valkyry1
Your facts, as it applies to evolutionary beliefs, are very ephemeral, an illusion as it is.

Is that really you, Yoda?

34 posted on 11/14/2008 7:49:00 AM PST by Soliton (This 2 shall pass)
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To: Soliton

“Making up definitions is a liars game.”

Screw you pal.

Why don’t you push your liberal secular agenda elsewhere.

I’m no liar. You can take your last statement and shove it.


35 posted on 11/17/2008 1:55:31 PM PST by scottdeus12 (Jesus is real, whether you believe in Him or not.)
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To: Soliton
I just found where you got your definition. Webster's:

6 a: a statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under the given conditions b: a general relation proved or assumed to hold between mathematical or logical expressions

I see that you chose #6. Did you not see definition 1a?:1 a (1): a binding custom or practice of a community : a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority.

My guess is you chose to ignore that to call to bolster your argument... and then call *me* a liar. Putz.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/law

36 posted on 11/17/2008 3:59:48 PM PST by scottdeus12 (Jesus is real, whether you believe in Him or not.)
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