Evolution of Complexity. Molecular Aspects of Preassembly
An extension of neo-Darwinism, termed preassembly, states that genetic material required for many complex traits, such as echolocation, was present long before emergence of the traits. Assembly of genes and gene segments had occurred over protracted time-periods within large libraries of non-coding...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-10-01
|
| Series: | Molecules |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/21/6618 |
| _version_ | 1797512005469339648 |
|---|---|
| author | Fredric M. Menger Syed A. A. Rizvi |
| author_facet | Fredric M. Menger Syed A. A. Rizvi |
| author_sort | Fredric M. Menger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | An extension of neo-Darwinism, termed preassembly, states that genetic material required for many complex traits, such as echolocation, was present long before emergence of the traits. Assembly of genes and gene segments had occurred over protracted time-periods within large libraries of non-coding genes. Epigenetic factors ultimately promoted transfers from noncoding to coding genes, leading to abrupt formation of the trait via de novo genes. This preassembly model explains many observations that to this present day still puzzle biologists: formation of super-complexity in the absence of multiple fossil precursors, as with bat echolocation and flowering plants; major genetic and physical alterations occurring in just a few thousand years, as with housecat evolution; lack of precursors preceding lush periods of species expansion, as in the Cambrian explosion; and evolution of costly traits that exceed their need during evolutionary times, as with human intelligence. What follows in this paper is a mechanism that is not meant to supplant neo-Darwinism; instead, preassembly aims to supplement current ideas when complexity issues leave them struggling. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:55:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-72bcce8d87904d95961b484dc5f535d9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:55:52Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-72bcce8d87904d95961b484dc5f535d92023-11-22T21:24:00ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492021-10-012621661810.3390/molecules26216618Evolution of Complexity. Molecular Aspects of PreassemblyFredric M. Menger0Syed A. A. Rizvi1Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USASchool of Pharmacy, Hampton University, Hampton, VA 23669, USAAn extension of neo-Darwinism, termed preassembly, states that genetic material required for many complex traits, such as echolocation, was present long before emergence of the traits. Assembly of genes and gene segments had occurred over protracted time-periods within large libraries of non-coding genes. Epigenetic factors ultimately promoted transfers from noncoding to coding genes, leading to abrupt formation of the trait via de novo genes. This preassembly model explains many observations that to this present day still puzzle biologists: formation of super-complexity in the absence of multiple fossil precursors, as with bat echolocation and flowering plants; major genetic and physical alterations occurring in just a few thousand years, as with housecat evolution; lack of precursors preceding lush periods of species expansion, as in the Cambrian explosion; and evolution of costly traits that exceed their need during evolutionary times, as with human intelligence. What follows in this paper is a mechanism that is not meant to supplant neo-Darwinism; instead, preassembly aims to supplement current ideas when complexity issues leave them struggling.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/21/6618complexityecholocationepigeneticsnon-coding genespreassemblyevolution theory |
| spellingShingle | Fredric M. Menger Syed A. A. Rizvi Evolution of Complexity. Molecular Aspects of Preassembly Molecules complexity echolocation epigenetics non-coding genes preassembly evolution theory |
| title | Evolution of Complexity. Molecular Aspects of Preassembly |
| title_full | Evolution of Complexity. Molecular Aspects of Preassembly |
| title_fullStr | Evolution of Complexity. Molecular Aspects of Preassembly |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evolution of Complexity. Molecular Aspects of Preassembly |
| title_short | Evolution of Complexity. Molecular Aspects of Preassembly |
| title_sort | evolution of complexity molecular aspects of preassembly |
| topic | complexity echolocation epigenetics non-coding genes preassembly evolution theory |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/21/6618 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fredricmmenger evolutionofcomplexitymolecularaspectsofpreassembly AT syedaarizvi evolutionofcomplexitymolecularaspectsofpreassembly |