Evolution and Adaptations - Essay Example

Running Head: EVOLUTION Evolution of the of the Executive Summary The evolutionary theory was published by Charles Darwin. Evolution is the binding force of all biological research. Since its inspection, evolutionary theory has been popular among ordinary audience and scientists. Since improved function is provided by an adaptation therefore, it is a common feature in a population. Adaptations are produced by natural selection and are well-fitted to their function. Many forms can be taken by adaptation, for example, an anatomical feature that allows the organism to access a new and valuable resource, a protein that functions better at body temperature and a behaviour that allows better evasion of predators. This paper will critically reflect upon adaptation, which is one of the aspects of evolutionary theory. Furthermore, it will discuss whether the aspect can be studied in real time or not and are the microorganisms used within it with a rapid generation time. In the last part of the paper, the concept of antibiotic resistance will be addressed and its links to differences in bacterial genomes. Table of Contents Evolution 4 Introduction 4 Discussion 4 The Aspect of Evolutionary Theory 4 Studies of this Aspect in Real Time 5 Use of Microorganisms with a Rapid Generation Time 6 The Concept of Antibiotic Resistance 7 The Link of Antibiotic Resistance to Differences in Bacterial Genomes 7 Conclusion 8 Evolution Introduction Evolutionary theory is a theory of changes in organic design through contingent selection and controlled random mutations. The evolutionary theory was published by Charles Darwin. Evolution is the binding force of all biological research. The principle of randomness, the genetic principle and the principle of self-replication are some basic principles of evolutionary theory (McGrath, 2005, pp. 227). Since its inspection, evolutionary theory has been popular among ordinary audience and scientists. The evolutionary theory itself is negated by some of its aspects ,however, some of them are very astonishing. This paper will critically reflect upon adaptation, which is one of the aspects of evolutionary theory. Furthermore, it will discuss whether the aspect can be studied in real time or not and are the microorganisms used within it with a rapid generation time. In the last part of the paper, the concept of antibiotic resistance will be addressed and its links to differences in bacterial genomes. Discussion The Aspect of Evolutionary Theory Every aspects of the form and behaviour of organisms are influenced by evolution. Amongst them, the most prominent are the specific physical and behavioural adaptations that are the outcomes of natural selection (Walsh, 2007, pp. 281). Fitness is increased by these adaptations through aid of activities, like attracting mates, avoiding predators and finding food. The adaptations take place within a population or species. The process that makes organisms better suited to their habitat is referred to as adaptation. A trait that is important for the survival of an organism is also referred to as adaptation. The evolutionary process through which an organism becomes better able to live in its habitats or habitat is known as adaptation. The loss of an ancestral feature or the gain of a new feature can be caused by adaptation. The degree to which an organism is able to reproduce and live in a given set of habitats and the state of being adapted is known as adaptedness. An aspect of the development pattern of the organism which enhances or enables the probability of that organism reproducing and surviving is known as an adaptive trait. For example, the bacteria Escherichia coli that evolves the ability to use citric acid as a nutrient in a long-term laboratory experiment (Barrick & Et.al, 2009, pp. 1243). Through the gradual modification of existing structures the adaptation occurs.  Studies of this Aspect in Real Time The plants can adjust fast if the caterpillars are removed from an evening primrose population. The absence of the predator is reflected by the intelligent changes that arise within even a few generations. For example, defensive chemicals and the flowering time against the insects adjust in plots protected from insects. The resistance of the plant to insect is reduced, which is viable as the plant is no longer getting attacked by the insects. However, the competitive ability of the plant is improved in exchange. The opportunity is intelligently and immediately exploited by the plant population, which is another fascinating example of many built-in adaptation capabilities acquired by biology.  According to evolutionists, this demonstrates that evolution can occur in real time. Blowback, the definition of evolution and deep time are the three underlying concepts that must be understood. Evolution had its much needed deep time. However, it will require a very long time to construct many wonders of biology as evolution is based on random change. The story changed a century later. According to science, as populations respond to environmental challenges and shifts, the remarkable changes come about in only a few years time. Such change is built-in to the species and is directed by complex adaptation mechanisms. The biological change tends to be in the form of effective and rapid directed adaptations to environmental changes, and these changes are brought about by built-in sophisticated mechanisms (Brandon, 2009, pp. 103). The evolution of such sophisticated adaptation mechanisms is not significantly explained by evolution. It is predicted that evolutionary change can occur over years, which is the ultimate form of blowback. The evening primrose response to the lack of insects is demonstrated as real-time evolution.  Use of Microorganisms with a Rapid Generation Time One-celled and tiny organisms capable of rapid reproduction under popular growth conditions are known as microorganisms. Protozoans, molds, yeasts, viruses and bacteria are the important microorganisms in the food industry. Single-celled microorganisms found in nearly all natural environments are bacteria, whereas, extremely small parasites are referred as viruses. Viruses and bacteria evolve and reproduce rapidly (West & Et.al, 2007, pp. 53). In case natural selection acting quickly, some bacteria has a generation time of fifteen minutes. Chemicals, pH and acidity, water, available nutrients, light, temperature and oxygen can manipulate the growth of microorganisms.  The Concept of Antibiotic Resistance Since, antibiotics worked quite well to in curing deadly diseases, therefore, they were considered to be wonder drugs only a few decades ago. In year 1929, the antibiotic era began. Death rates associated with many infectious diseases were drastically reduced by antibiotics. Resistance to antibiotics was evolved by many strains of bacteria (Davies & Davies, 2010, pp. 417). Neisseria gonorrhoea is an example of it. Gonorrhoea is caused by bacteria. Most cases of gonorrhoea were controlled by ampicillin and penicillin in the era of 1960s. Today, ninety eight percent of gonorrhea bacteria are resistant to penicillin in Southeast Asia and more than twenty four percent of gonorrhea bacteria are resistant to at least one antibiotic in the United States. Occurrence of bacterial resistance was predicted by evolutionary theory. When a selective pressure, such as, an antibiotic is introduced, any living organisms, involving bacteria, will evolve at given variation, heredity and time. To delay more widespread evolution of antibiotic resistance, some specific strategies are recommended by evolutionary theory to patients and doctors. These specific strategies are elimination or reduction of the preventive use of antibiotics on crops and livestock, use of a combination of drugs to treat a bacterial infection, taking all the pills in treating a bacterial infection with antibiotics, avoiding mild doses of antibiotics over a long time periods and not using antibiotics in the treatment of viral infections.  The Link of Antibiotic Resistance to Differences in Bacterial Genomes When an antibiotic has lost its ability to kill effectively or control bacterial growth, it is referred to as, antibiotic resistance. There is a greater chance of survival of this bacterium that can resist, in case of use of an antibiotic. A low-level of natural selection for resistance to antibiotics is led by bacteria that can use and produce antibiotics against other bacteria. The abuse and overuse of antibiotics contributes to the higher-levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (Martínez & Et.al, 2007, pp. 958). By acquiring resistance from another bacterium or by a genetic mutation, are the two ways in which bacteria may also become resistant.  Conclusion Since improved function is provided by an adaptation, therefore, it is a common feature in a population. Adaptations are produced by natural selection and are well-fitted to their function. Many forms can be taken by adaptation, for example, an anatomical feature that allows the organism to access a new and valuable resource, a protein that functions better at body temperature and a behaviour that allows better evasion of predators. References Barrick, J. E., Yu, D. S., Yoon, S. H., Jeong, H., Oh, T. K., Schneider, D., ... & Kim, J. F. 2009, ‘Genome evolution and adaptation in a long-term experiment with Escherichia coli’, Nature, 461(7268), pp. 1243-1247. Retrieved from: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v461/n7268/abs/nature08480.html Brandon, R. N. 2009, ‘Adaptation and evolutionary theory’, Philosophy of Biology: An Anthology, p. 103. Retrieved from: http://books.google.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=tBxGpaV-ocsC&oi=fnd&pg=PA103&dq=Evolutionary+theory&ots=2JApVwhk4R&sig=G8UuKjJ-mV8SARuO_3X692f3VCA#v=onepage&q=Evolutionary%20theory&f=false Williams, G. C. 2008, ‘Adaptation and natural selection: a critique of some current evolutionary thought’, Princeton University Press, pp. 3-20. Retrieved from: http://books.google.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=wWZEq87CqO0C&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Adaptation+in+Evolutionary+theory&ots=2BUgfUpNNF&sig=qnt7KfhFMC2yF-F8BYS1C9RxjY4#v=onepage&q=Adaptation%20in%20Evolutionary%20theory&f=false Davies, J., & Davies, D. 2010, ‘Origins and evolution of antibiotic resistance’, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 74(3), pp. 417-433. Retrieved from: http://mmbr.asm.org/content/74/3/417.short Martínez, J. L., Baquero, F., & Andersson, D. I. 2007, ‘Predicting antibiotic resistance’, Nature Reviews Microbiology, 5(12), pp. 958-965. Retrieved from: http://www.nature.com/nrmicro/journal/v5/n12/abs/nrmicro1796.html McGrath, A. E. 2005, ‘Dawkins God’, Blackwell Pub, pp. 227-236. Retrieved from: http://www.bups.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/BJUP22Online.cracked.117-126.pdf Walsh, D. M. 2007, ‘The Pomp of Superfluous Causes: The Interpretation of Evolutionary Theory’, Philosophy of Science, 74(3), pp. 281-303. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/discover/10.1086/520777?uid=8108392&uid=3739552&uid=2&uid=3&uid=67&uid=20401448&uid=3001576&uid=62&uid=3739256&sid=21103426094037 West, S. A., Diggle, S. P., Buckling, A., Gardner, A., & Griffin, A. S. 2007, ‘The social lives of microbes’, Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst., 38, pp. 53-77. Retrieved from: http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.38.091206.095740?journalCode=ecolsys Read More