Genome complexity: what genes do and don't do (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, January 31, 2019, 14:51 (2123 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: Information means passive facts or details about a subject. Instructions are not facts or details, they are commands. And the article you initially agreed with said specifically that the passive data base could NOT serve as instructions.

DAVID: Of course there are instructions in the information. The cell must activate those instructions and follow them as the cells react to a stimulus.

dhw: Why “of course”, when you have already agreed that the information cannot possibly serve as instructions (= what genes DON'T do), and have stated explicitly that “the information just lying there is inactive, of course, but the cells are totally aware of it and use it in various required actions”?

You still seem totally confused about the issue of information in the genome. I see the cells as actively entering their genome for instructions to be activated. The information is always available, just as you enter a library to review a subject from inactive books. As Davies points out life runs on information.

DAVID: Remember your concept is based on Shapiro who studied all-in-one bacteria who carry a different set of responsibilities. I do not think Shapiro generally carries over to multicellular organisms.

dhw: His concept of “natural genetic engineering” refers to all organisms, and since he believes in cellular intelligence, I really can’t imagine that he believes single cells are intelligent but cell communities aren’t.

We really need to ask Shapiro. I can't see the jump since I know all human organs act automatically. See my entry on skin color for adaptation.

Under "STICKLEBACKS":
QUOTE: Genetic analysis of the marine ancestor also showed that the genetic variants that are beneficial for adapting to acidic or alkaline water are all present in the ancestor. Similar life forms, therefore, didn't occur randomly, but independently of each other through the predictable sorting of advantageous genetic variants that were already present in the genome. " (David’s bold)

DAVID: It certainly looks as if the existing genome can guide future adaptations, but in case within related species. Note the bold statement.

dhw: Of course the potential for variation must already be present, and we know that this extends as far as adaptation. The stickleback cells, in your words, are “totally aware of it and use it” to perform the “various required actions”.

Exactly as in the information discussion above. The cells can look into their library of information to guide adaptations.