January 27, 2010
Bat and Dolphin 'Echoes' are Very Similar
Surprisingly, the key gene that allows their ears to detect high-frequency
sounds has 'evolved' the same in both species.
Bat and Dolphin 'Echoes' are Very Similar
Surprisingly, the key gene that allows their ears to detect high-frequency
sounds has 'evolved' the same in both species.
| LSI stands for the Lutheran Science Institute, an organization of WELS and ELS Lutherans interested in science and health issues with a special emphasis on the creation and evolution controversy. This blog's purpose is to search the Internet to find articles of interest to Christians. Views expressed are those of the author (Warren Krug) and are not necessarily those of the Lutheran Science Institute, Inc. |
SUMMARY: Scientists have discovered a striking similarity in the DNA of
bats and dolphins that allow them to echolocate. A key gene that gives their
ears the ability to detect high-frequency sounds has "undergone the exact
same changes over time in both creatures." This finding was reported in the
journal Current Biology.
It may be the first time that "identical genetics has been shown to underpin
the evolution of similar characteristics in very different organisms." Yet,
nature is full of cases where the same traits, or phenotypes, have "developed
independently" in diverse animal groups. Other examples could include
elephant and walrus tusks or firefly and jellyfish bioluminescence.
"It's common on a morphological scale but it's assumed not to occur at a DNA
level because there are so many different ways to arrive at the same
solution," said Dr. Stephen Rossiter of Queen Mary's School of Biological and
Chemical Sciences. "The fact that we're able to link convergence of the DNA
with a phenotype I think is unique, and in such a complex phenotype as
hearing as well."
Many bats and dolphins track down their prey by emitting high-frequency
noises and then listening for the echoes to bounce back. Tiny hairs in the
inner ear which move in response to the sound are critically important.
"Changes" in a gene known as prestin which help the process of hearing
appear similar in both groups.
Scientists hope their research may eventually help humanity because
mutations in the prestin gene in humans were found to be associated with
the loss of high-frequency hearing. In fact, this revelation was what initiated
the study of prestin's role in echolocation.
(Photos from Wikipedia.)
To read the entire article, click on this link to the BBC NEWS.
COMMENT: Convergent evolution is the phrase that secular scientists use
to describe the occurrence of similar special features in much different species.
Besides the examples mentioned above, there are numerous others such as
the wings of bats and birds, octopus and human eyes, and similar fingerprints
in koalas and humans, to name a few.
In other words, if a miracle, such as the evolution of the eye, occurred in one
species, it had to have occurred a second or a third or a fourth time as well.
When being found in widely separated (in the evolution sense) animals, these
features could not have been passed down from one to the other.
Doesn't it make much more sense to credit God with any and all miracles?
Life itself, the appearance of this universe and its living inhabitants out of
what was nothing in the beginning, is a miracle that has no scientific
explanation. And the God who alone can perform miracles has worked one in
us, changing our natural reluctance to believe in Him into a saving faith that
looks ahead to the ultimate miracle--a life that will never end in the mansions
of heaven, thanks to the suffering and death of our Savior on a cross.
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QUESTION OF THE DAY
Who is likely to get more exercise, a dog owner or someone with a gym
membership?
According to one survey in Great Britain, a dog owner. On average, dog
owners walked their pets twice a day for about eight hours of exercise per
week. Those who had memberships in a gym worked out an average of only
two hours a week.
Source: Parade (1/17/2010)
******************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including those
containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
******************************************************************************************
bats and dolphins that allow them to echolocate. A key gene that gives their
ears the ability to detect high-frequency sounds has "undergone the exact
same changes over time in both creatures." This finding was reported in the
journal Current Biology.
It may be the first time that "identical genetics has been shown to underpin
the evolution of similar characteristics in very different organisms." Yet,
nature is full of cases where the same traits, or phenotypes, have "developed
independently" in diverse animal groups. Other examples could include
elephant and walrus tusks or firefly and jellyfish bioluminescence.
"It's common on a morphological scale but it's assumed not to occur at a DNA
level because there are so many different ways to arrive at the same
solution," said Dr. Stephen Rossiter of Queen Mary's School of Biological and
Chemical Sciences. "The fact that we're able to link convergence of the DNA
with a phenotype I think is unique, and in such a complex phenotype as
hearing as well."
Many bats and dolphins track down their prey by emitting high-frequency
noises and then listening for the echoes to bounce back. Tiny hairs in the
inner ear which move in response to the sound are critically important.
"Changes" in a gene known as prestin which help the process of hearing
appear similar in both groups.
Scientists hope their research may eventually help humanity because
mutations in the prestin gene in humans were found to be associated with
the loss of high-frequency hearing. In fact, this revelation was what initiated
the study of prestin's role in echolocation.
(Photos from Wikipedia.)
To read the entire article, click on this link to the BBC NEWS.
COMMENT: Convergent evolution is the phrase that secular scientists use
to describe the occurrence of similar special features in much different species.
Besides the examples mentioned above, there are numerous others such as
the wings of bats and birds, octopus and human eyes, and similar fingerprints
in koalas and humans, to name a few.
In other words, if a miracle, such as the evolution of the eye, occurred in one
species, it had to have occurred a second or a third or a fourth time as well.
When being found in widely separated (in the evolution sense) animals, these
features could not have been passed down from one to the other.
Doesn't it make much more sense to credit God with any and all miracles?
Life itself, the appearance of this universe and its living inhabitants out of
what was nothing in the beginning, is a miracle that has no scientific
explanation. And the God who alone can perform miracles has worked one in
us, changing our natural reluctance to believe in Him into a saving faith that
looks ahead to the ultimate miracle--a life that will never end in the mansions
of heaven, thanks to the suffering and death of our Savior on a cross.
******************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail
your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
******************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Who is likely to get more exercise, a dog owner or someone with a gym
membership?
According to one survey in Great Britain, a dog owner. On average, dog
owners walked their pets twice a day for about eight hours of exercise per
week. Those who had memberships in a gym worked out an average of only
two hours a week.
Source: Parade (1/17/2010)
******************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including those
containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
******************************************************************************************
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