Why Biology Matters: Evolution by Drew Borders

German Super Boy #BeneficialMutation

BruceWayne — 2014-09-25 23:33:34 UTC

In Germany, there's a boy born with impressive muscle mass and little body fat. Further research shows that he has been born with a genetic mutation that encourages muscle growth. Scientists thinks this could eventually lead to drugs that will help with things like muscle dystrophy and other related conditions. This is why Biology matters. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5278028/ns/health-genetics/t/genetic-mutationturns-tot-superboy/#.VCSlKuZdXF8

Radiation Munching Fungi #BeneficialMutation

BruceWayne — 2014-09-26 00:28:41 UTC

In Chernobyl, fungi that eats radiation and converts in into energy has been found. This occurs because of the melanin in the fungi which isn't that different than the melanin in our skin. Scientists speculate that this fungi might be something for astronauts to eat in the future on space missions. This is why Biology matters.

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20070422222547data_trunc_sys.shtml

Got Milk? #BeneficialMutation

BruceWayne — 2014-09-26 00:46:11 UTC

Are you Lactose tolerant? The vast majority of adults around the world aren't:

- 10% of Americans

- 10% of Africa's Tutsi tribe

- 50% of Spanish and French people

- 99% of Chinese People

Evidence shows that when are ancestors began domesticating cattle, a lactose tolerance in people became advantageous and Natural selection favored them. However is some cases, like the Hadza population, 50% of lactose tolerant despite the fact that they do not herd cattle. Is there some other advantage to lactose tolerance besides the consumption of milk and could there be some kind of convergent evolution between Africans and European populations. This is why Biology matters.

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/news/070401_lactose

Speed Dating #SexualSelection

BruceWayne — 2014-09-26 01:02:06 UTC

Darwin described females as being more picky in their choices of a mate. Because of this, males developed traits that made them standout more in the female eye. The bird of Paradise puts on a show for his potential mates. This is why Biology matters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTR21os8gTA