Dear Rominy,
Good for what? The problem is that an unused gene will drift through
mutation to junk, over geological time. But its presence can still be
useful. See:
Martin, C.C. & R. Gordon (1995). Differentiation trees, a junk DNA
molecular clock, and the evolution of neoteny in salamanders. J. Evol.
Biol. 8, 339-354.
Best, -Dick Gordon[Oct19,95]
On Wed, 18 Oct 1995, Rominy Novaes Stefani ib - bio 7552 wrote:
> On Thu, 5 Oct 1995, David Thornton wrote:
>> > Hey there
> >
> > I had an Idea . I was sitting in my mol cell bio lecture learning
> > about this paradox that shows that some creatures in the same class have
> > larger genomes than others. I was thinking with all that "junk" DNA does
> > that make the creature better able to handle new conidtions. I mean might
> > all of that junk DNA be coding for genes that are "latent" (to be used in
> > time of need) or more aptly to have their effects expressed in time of need?
> >
> > Please has anyone come up with any Idea of this nature.
> >
> >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> David,
>> I don't know if I can answer your question. Anyway, we don't have to
> think that all things have one function. We can put one ring in our
> finger. But this finger is not here for that.
> I am trying to say you: I do not think that the "junk DNA" is able to
> "know" if, one day, it will be useful. You are talking about preadaptation.
> This DNA can, one day, be useful, but it is not in the genome waiting for
> this.
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Rominy Stefani
>rstefani at usp.br
