This is a big breakthrough, in regards to genes in evolutionary processes and how they affect change, and in this case 'jumping genes' seems to be a key we've not understood well until this research.
Quote:
PhD student Keith Oliver and Associate Professor Wayne Greene have spent the last two years gathering a wealth of evidence which proves that what are commonly known as jumping genes are actually driving the evolutionary process in some species.
Jumping genes are sequences of DNA that can move to new positions within the genome of a cell. This movement can create mutations and therefore change the observable characteristics of a species.
Their latest scientific paper on the idea brings together around 100 examples of where the activity of jumping genes have created or greatly-modified primate and human genes, resulting in the generation of well-known primate-specific traits.
“Visual red-green colour perception, faster brain function, better foetal nutrition in the womb along with a more assertive placenta and better infectious disease resistance are just some of the evolutionary advances in primates brought about by jumping genes,” said A/Prof Greene, who is Academic Chair of Biomedical Science.
“In fact, it’s very hard to see how primates and humans could have evolved in the way they have, without the intervention of jumping genes.”
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http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-07-...on-theory.html
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Allskonar fyrir Aumingja!!
Last edited by Thor; 07-15-2011 at 03:37 AM.
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