#genetics
120 materials
Maro et al. (2008) Can the developmental conditions of tadpoles Bufo bufo...?
Attempt to understand the ontogenetic strategies of the common toads and a hypothesis about the mechanism of their switching. Pdf of the article here. Maro A. N., Shabanova A. V., Shabanov D. A. Can the developmental conditions of Bufo bufo …
Ecology: The Biology of Interaction. 6.22. (Supplement) Should We Fear GM Products?
One of the topics attracting considerable attention from conservation organizations and lay ecologists is that of transgenic or genetically modified (GM) organisms and the food products derived from them. In introducing the category of GM organisms, we group them not …
Ecology: The Biology of Interaction. 6.21. (Supplement) Main Stages of Anthropogenesis
For most of the history of our family, several species of humans inhabited the Earth simultaneously, and only recently has a single species remained — our own. The development of our genus likely followed a single pattern: new species form …
Ecology: the biology of interaction. 6.18. (supplement) Cultural inheritance as a mechanism of transmitting acquired traits
For further reasoning it is crucial that the inheritance of acquired traits must significantly accelerate evolution. On what basis is behavior formed? For most animals it is the same as for other traits. During development, which proceeds under genetic control, …
Ecology: biology of interaction. 4.11. Predation
Thus, based on the degree of specialization of predators in feeding on particular categories of prey, they can be divided into generalists and specialists. Closely related to this classification is the division of predators into monophages (adapted to feeding on …
Ecology: The Biology of Interactions. 3.11. Trophic Links and Levels
Autotrophs obtain biogenic elements and the necessary energy from the environment and create organic matter. The organic matter produced by autotrophs is consumed by some heterotrophs; those heterotrophs are consumed by others, and so on until the organic matter synthesized …
Ecology: the Biology of Interactions. 2.07. The Biogeochemical Cycle of Nitrogen
The BGC cycle of nitrogen is more complex than that of carbon. It is also extremely important for living organisms. Although the atmosphere contains more nitrogen than other elements, incorporating it into living matter is a much more difficult task …
Ecology: The Biology of Interaction. 1.12. (Supplement) Models: Their Limitations and Dangers
Some objects cannot be studied directly, or are extremely difficult to investigate in situ. In this and in many other cases, models are employed. A model is a system constructed for the purpose of studying an original system; it must …
Ecology: the Biology of Interactions. 1.06. Approaches to the Study of Biosystems
Biology can be divided into parts in three relatively independent dimensions: on the one hand by object of study (zoology, botany, microbiology, etc.); on the other by method (molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, etc.); and, thirdly, by the approach that determines …
August session: retirement age
Sixty years ago, the August session of VASKHIL took place, during which the Lyseynkovites—“Mitchurinites”—with party support triumphed over the classical geneticists. Should we recall this event? A boy born in those days is already retiring... Yes, we should! The consequences …
Shabanov (2006) Humans, hybrids, frogs
[An already quite old article in Computerre, which, in my opinion, may still be of some interest due to its discussion of possible scenarios in interspecific hybridization and the evolutionary role of partial recombinants. Among other things, it is available …
Tiktalik and evolution
The description of *Tiktaalik* — one of the earliest tetrapod species — provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the evolution of quadrupeds and the principles of phylogenetic reconstruction
Monkeys, dogmas and “Jenkin’s nightmare”
Monkey processes. Human as a monkey. “Evolutionism” is not a synonym of “Darwinism”. The essence of “Jenkin’s nightmare” and a quotation from his article. Holdeyn’s paradox (inefficiency of selection on many alleles). Shishkin’s epigenetic theory as a solution to the …
"Frankenstein's Food" and the Right to Truth
So does a person have the right to know what they eat? Of course they do. But they also have the right to a proper understanding of that knowledge. What does the average person know about modified organisms? That they …
Open Letter to A. V. Yablokov Regarding a Book on Genetically Modified Products (Written circa 2002)
Around 2002 I read a book that amazed me: "Kings and Cabbage. What They Will Never Tell You About Genetic Engineering" (Moscow: SOES Publishing House, 2000). This book was published with funds from a foundation led by the renowned Russian …
Four Old News Items: Altruists, the RNA World, the Goliath Cyborg, and Obesity
Altruists die, but their cause lives on.
Four Earlier News Items: A Unique Case of Symbiogenesis, Cloning, Fighting Warming, and Artificial Organs
The caring thief. Admit it: even if you tried to invent something like this, would you have enough imagination?