Related Concept Videos
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.
Competition
When organisms require the same limited resources within an environment, they may have to compete for them. Competition is a net-negative interaction. Even if two competing individuals or populations do not interact directly, the overall fitness of both competitors is lowered as a result of not having full access to the limited resource.
Types of Selection
Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...
Proofreading
Overview
Proofreading
Synthesis of new DNA molecules is carried out by the enzyme DNA polymerase, which adds nucleotides on the daughter strand complementary to the template DNA strand. DNA polymerase has a higher affinity to add the correct base and ensures fidelity during DNA replication. Furthermore, it exhibits proofreading activity during replication, using an exonuclease domain that cuts off incorrect nucleotides from the nascent DNA strand.
Errors During Replication are Corrected by the DNA Polymerase Enzyme
Errors During Replication are Corrected by the DNA Polymerase Enzyme
Proofreading
Overview
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Novel Object Recognition and Object Location Behavioral Testing in Mice on a Budget
Published on: November 20, 2018
Editorial rejects? Novelty, schnovelty!
1Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Goran.Arnqvist@ebc.uu.se
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|May 21, 2013
Summary
Journal editorial processes increasingly reject manuscripts before peer review. This analysis argues that using
Area of Science:
- Scientific publishing
- Scholarly communication
Background:
- Journals are increasing pre-peer-review editorial rejections.
- Editorial criteria significantly influence manuscript progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically examine the criterion of 'novelty' in pre-peer-review editorial decisions.
- To highlight the problematic nature of novelty as a decisive factor at this stage.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of editorial criteria.
- Argumentative critique of 'novelty' as an assessment factor.
Main Results:
- 'Novelty' is identified as a problematic criterion for early editorial assessment.
- The current application of novelty can hinder the dissemination of valuable research.
Conclusions:
- Rethinking the reliance on 'novelty' for pre-peer-review rejections is crucial.
- Alternative or refined criteria are needed to ensure fair evaluation of scientific manuscripts.

