Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2025
05:31
Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task
Published on: February 26, 2020
14.8K
Moderating the neutralist-selectionist debate: exactly which propositions are we debating, and which arguments are
Menno J de Jong1, Cock van Oosterhout2, A Rus Hoelzel3
1Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Institute (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Strasse 14-16, Frankfurt am Main, 60325, Germany.
Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
|August 25, 2023
Summary
The neutral theory of molecular evolution remains debated due to differing interpretations of the neutral mutation-random drift hypothesis. This review clarifies these ambiguities and distinguishes various neutral hypotheses to foster a constructive debate on evolutionary adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Evolution
- Genetics
Background:
- The neutral theory of molecular evolution, proposed 50 years ago, continues to be a subject of controversy.
- Ambiguities in interpreting the 'neutral mutation-random drift' hypothesis fuel the ongoing debate.
- Existing interpretations often conflate different neutral hypotheses, obscuring the core propositions.
Approach:
- This review traces the historical origins of these ambiguities and proposes solutions.
- It distinguishes between the original, revised, and nearly neutral hypotheses, emphasizing they are not equivalent to strict neutrality.
- The review differentiates neutral hypotheses for protein, genomic, and functional DNA evolution, and introduces narrow vs. extended neutral hypotheses.
Key Points:
- The debate has expanded beyond point mutations to include large-scale mutations affecting gene dosage and regulation.
- Selectionist and neutralist arguments are evaluated, with many predictions being sensitive to assumptions or consistent with opposing hypotheses.
- Distinguishing between different neutral hypotheses is crucial for a productive neutralist-selectionist dialogue.
Conclusions:
- Clarifying the distinct neutral hypotheses is essential for resolving the ongoing debate in molecular evolution.
- This review aims to facilitate a constructive discussion to determine the proportion of adaptive substitutions and polymorphisms.
- Understanding these proportions is fundamental to addressing a key question in evolutionary biology.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Null and Alternative Hypotheses
8.3K
The actual hypothesis testing begins by considering two hypotheses. They are termed the null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis. These hypotheses contain opposing viewpoints.
The null hypothesis, denoted by H0 is a statement of no difference between the variables—they are not related. This can often be considered the status quo. As a result if you cannot accept the null, it requires some action.
The alternative hypothesis, denoted by H1 or Ha, is a claim about the...
The null hypothesis, denoted by H0 is a statement of no difference between the variables—they are not related. This can often be considered the status quo. As a result if you cannot accept the null, it requires some action.
The alternative hypothesis, denoted by H1 or Ha, is a claim about the...
8.3K
01:46Types of Selection
40.6K
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...
40.6K
01:17Hypothesis: Accept or Fail to Reject?
28.0K
The outcome of any hypothesis testing leads to rejecting or not rejecting the null hypothesis. This decision is taken based on the analysis of the data, an appropriate test statistic, an appropriate confidence level, the critical values, and P-values. However, when the evidence suggests that the null hypothesis cannot be rejected, is it right to say, 'Accept' the null hypothesis?
There are two ways to indicate that the null hypothesis is not rejected. 'Accept' the null...
There are two ways to indicate that the null hypothesis is not rejected. 'Accept' the null...
28.0K
01:23Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
128
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...
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
128
01:21The Nativist Approach
89
The nativist approach to infant cognitive development proposes that infants are born with inherent knowledge structures that allow them to interpret the world almost immediately. This perspective contrasts with earlier developmental theories, such as those proposed by Jean Piaget, which emphasized a more gradual acquisition of cognitive abilities through interaction with the environment. One key concept in this approach is object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to...
89
01:32What is Natural Selection?
115.5K
Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.
115.5K