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There are certain kinds of food that I like and some that I dislike, just like everybody else. But from an evolutionary standpoint, it seems like we shouldn't be turning our noses up at anything that helps us survive, nor should we have differing tastes than other people living in the same environment. Why would we develop a distaste for certain foods? |
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Please explain the mechanism by which a species that is drifting genetically
to become a new species reorganizes its DNA on its chromosomes, creating a
new number of chromosomes or putting the information in a new arrangement.
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Where do new genes come from? It is one case where genes turn on or off,
resulting in black or white fur, or where say slightly longer necks are
favored over short ones. These changes are based on existing genes. What
about the case of completely novel features? How do you go from a bacterium
without any concept of arms and legs, teeth, etc. and lacking genes for
these, to macroscopic animals having these genes. Macroscopic animals of
course descended from single celled organisms. How do you get a gene (or
group of genes) for an eye or a pancreas? What sort of mutation can give me
a new, useful gene?
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How do scientists learn about plants that are extinct? |
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Can you explain the genetics and evolution of skin color? Is skin color useful for grouping people into ethnic groups? |
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In almost every study that I have seen, brunets are preferred over blonds. Why? |
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Generally, members of a species have different DNA makeup from other species. However, as I understand it, chromosomal DNA is difficult, if not impossible, to get from ancient fossilized remains, so most paleontologists rely on structures to indicate whether speciation has occurred when such remains are analyzed. |
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Are Neanderthals and Homo sapiens sapiens genetically compatible? Can they interbreed? I ask because I am confused by a creationist article that refutes the conclusion of Matthias Kring's 1997 article, "Neanderthal DNA sequences and the Origin of Modern Humans". |
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How could the hydraulics of the Venus flytrap leaflets evolve? Either the hydraulic system is fully functional, connecting the triggers to the hinge and snapping shut at the proper time to trap prey, or it has no adaptive advantage. What would a hydraulic system not yet fully evolved look like, and what would its advantage and function be? |
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The theory of kin selection holds that relatives are altruistic to relatives because so many genes are shared between relatives. The various genome projects have shown that humans share 98 percent of their genes with chimpanzees and 96 percent of their DNA with chimpanzees. Clearly, via genotypes, there is a lot room for altruism. How does the adaptationist program of Dawkins square with this? Inheritance via descent is surely irrelevant to selfish genes. |
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