Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...

Evolutionary Processes in Microbes

Evolutionary Processes in Microbes

Microbial evolution occurs rapidly due to short generation times and a variety of genetic processes, including horizontal gene transfer, mutation, recombination, and genetic drift. These mechanisms collectively enable microbes to adapt swiftly to changing environments.Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) allows genes to move between different species and occurs through three main mechanisms: conjugation, transformation, and transduction. Conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell contact for DNA...

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...

Limits to Natural Selection

Limits to Natural Selection

Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.For one, natural selection can only act upon existing genetic variation. Hypothetically, redtusks may enhance elephant survival by deterring ivory-seeking poachers. However, if there are no gene variants—or alleles—for redtusks, natural selection cannot increase the prevalence of...

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...

Convergent Evolution

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.The structures that arise from convergent evolution are called analogous structures. They are similar in function even if they are dissimilar in structure. Further, structures can be analogous while also...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Brain Metabolic DNA: A Long Story and Some Conclusions.

Molecular neurobiology·2022

Same author

Brain metabolic DNA: recent evidence for a mitochondrial connection.

Reviews in the neurosciences·2020

Same author

Sequences of Reverse Transcribed Brain DNA Are Modified by Learning.

Frontiers in molecular neuroscience·2020

Same author

Deregulated Local Protein Synthesis in the Brain Synaptosomes of a Mouse Model for Alzheimer's Disease.

Molecular neurobiology·2019

Same author

Brain Metabolic DNA Is Reverse Transcribed in Cytoplasm: Evidence by Immunofluorescence Analysis.

Molecular neurobiology·2019

Same author

DNA in Squid Synaptosomes.

Molecular neurobiology·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

Published on: April 24, 2016

Natural computing and biological evolution: a new paradigm.

Antonio Giuditta¹

¹Department of Biological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 8, Naples, Italy. giuditta@unina.it

Rivista Di Biologia

|July 5, 2008

Summary

Biological evolution may arise from integrated variations, not just random mutations. Organisms

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Theoretical biology
Cybernetics

Background:

Current evolutionary hypotheses often focus on random mutations.
The generation of new species involves complex, integrated changes.
Phylogenetic elimination acts on poorly adapted individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose an alternative mechanism for biological evolution.
To highlight the role of integrated variations in speciation.
To explore the concept of natural computing in evolution.

Main Methods:

Review of existing hypotheses on biological evolution.
Analysis of the nature of variations leading to new species.
Conceptual framework integrating cybernetic algorithms and organismal resources.

More Related Videos

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

Published on: April 24, 2016

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

Main Results:

Integrated variations, rather than single random mutations, are key to new species.
Cybernetic algorithms operating on organismal resources and environment shape evolution.
Organisms' inherent computing capacities influence evolutionary variations.

Conclusions:

Evolutionary mechanisms may be better understood through natural computing principles.
Organismal computing capacities play a crucial role in molding evolutionary trajectories.
These capacities are integral to the transfer of evolutionary variations to progeny.