Now that there is a link between evolution of traits and molecular processes, one can continue to ask, do mutation rates evolve? Yes, rates do evolve depending on the environment and demands. One driving aspect of this is the inheriting of the code for DNA polymerase. The one of the most common ways that errors in the DNA replication or transcription occur due to errors or variants of DNA polymerase. In saying so, if a parent has a mutation in DNA polymerase, the offspring is likely to inherit it as well which will create even more mutations elsewhere.
High mutation rates can be adaptive for cases like the inheritance of DNA polymerase because if the mutation rate it higher, there are more chances for offspring to have multiple variants which can survive. This would be ideal in a situation where the environment that is rapidly changing. On the other hand, low mutation rates may be advantageous for location with a less varied environment or where resources are constrained. If resources are constrained, it may be helpful to have a slower and more accurate DNA polymerase to make sure the few offspring to be produced have a chance to survive.
Before you leave, here's one last meme for you! :)
Okay first off, the memes you're putting on this blog are magnificent. I also love the titles of your blog posts. Okay back to the prompt, I really follow what you're saying when you connect Darwin's postulates to evolving rates of mutation. The offspring being able to inherit the parents mutated traits are crucial. This paired with the offspring's ability to survive with these mutated traits correlate with Darwin's postulates.
ReplyDeleteYour memes are AMAZING!!! I also think you had some really easy-to-understand explanations that helped me to better my understanding!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your blog post. Not only were you able to excellently explain mutation rates evolution but by adding the memes you also made it more fun and interesting for the reader. But now I can only picture Michi Naruto running while talking about the DNA polymerase now.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to continue to say the same thing as everybody else, but I literally love these memes so much. It definitely makes me want to make some funny memes for my future blog posts because it's such a fun way to spice up big blocks of text. go you!!
ReplyDeleteHi Bridgett! Much like everyone else, I really enjoyed your memes! You did a great job explaining how Darwin's postulates can prove that there is evolution in mutation rates!
ReplyDeleteHi Bridget! Below is an excerpt from your blog post that I wanted to talk about.
ReplyDelete"If resources are constrained, it may be helpful to have a slower and more accurate DNA polymerase to make sure the few offspring to be produced have a chance to survive"
First of all, I definitely agree what you are saying here. While reading what you wrote, I think I thought of another reason why a slow mutation rate would be good. What if the environment is not changing and the organism is already the best fit for where they live? They would definitely want a slow mutation rate so that they would stay fit. I hope that makes sense.
Your memes are fantastic! A true prize. Thank you for the simple explanations!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your memes! I couldn't help but laugh out loud in the student union when I saw it! Your explanations I believe are valid and accurate. I especially loved you explaining that postulates can prove evolution in mutation rates.
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