Epigenetics revisited (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, December 03, 2009, 14:19 (5468 days ago) @ xeno6696

This article shows a newly-discovered defense mechanism, adding methionine in a random fashion to newly produced proteins, confusing the invaders:
> > 
> > http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091125134701.htm
> David, 
> 
> Going deeper into the article, it talks a little more about epigenetics as a whole--and this underlines a point I've tried and failed to make in the past: epigenetics is a mechanism for change, but that change only gets transferred to future generations in one way. How does epigenetics then "prove" Darwin wrong? (Science isn't about "proving," i hate that word in any non-math context.) -It doesn't prove Darwin wrong. It shows that organisms come provided with self-protective genetic mechanisms that can respond much faster than waiting for a chance mutuation; the epigenetic trick, such as point methylation in DNA, didn't just pop up recently. It has been there all along. Again, designed to be present or developed by the ususal chance mutation and natural selection theory? 
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> Classical theory simply states that genetic changes are passed to offspring in one way... epigenetics would provide an elegant solution to the perceived speed problem. Perceived because I haven't actually seen a substantial argument to dictate what the "speed" of evolution *should* be. -Of course you are referring to mutation rate vs. time. Epigenetics helps is quickly need minor varfiations. Nothing explains the Cambrian Explosion or the Plant Bloom.