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Related Concept Videos

The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

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Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
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Eukaryotic Evolution01:24

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The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was formed after endosymbiosis of mitochondria.
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Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.
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Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

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The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2025

The Power of Simplicity: Sea Urchin Embryos as in Vivo Developmental Models for Studying Complex Cell-to-cell Signaling Network Interactions
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A non-adaptive explanation for macroevolutionary patterns in the evolution of complex multicellularity.

Emma P Bingham1,2, William C Ratcliff3

  • 1School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology. Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.

Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|November 28, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Genetic drift impacts multicellularity evolution differently in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Eukaryotic genomic expansion and prokaryotic erosion, driven by lineage-specific mutational biases, explain why complex multicellularity evolved only in eukaryotes.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics
  • Macroevolution

Background:

  • Complex multicellularity, defined by specialized cell types, has evolved independently in eukaryotes but not prokaryotes.
  • Existing hypotheses suggest eukaryotic innovations like dynamic cytoskeletons or gene regulation were prerequisites.
  • The macroevolutionary pattern of complex multicellularity's independent evolution in eukaryotes remains unexplained.

Conclusions:

  • Lineage-specific mutational biases, not solely cell-biological innovations, may explain why complex multicellularity evolved in eukaryotes but not prokaryotes.
  • The divergent evolutionary responses to genetic drift, driven by these biases, are key to understanding this macroevolutionary pattern.
  • This hypothesis offers a new perspective on the prerequisites for evolving complex multicellular life.