How are mutations important to evolution?
1 Answer
Mutations are required as a source of novel information if Neo Darwinian evolution is to occur.
Explanation:
Mutations are thought to be random changes in the information code of DNA that result in new information and life forms.
Neo Darwinian evolution or decent with modification postulates that starting with a relatively "simple" protocell mutations caused the increase in diversity and complexity observed in the world.
Since Neo Darwinian evolution started with something "simple" and has changed into many things that are quite complex mutations must be able to create novel and more complicated forms of information.
Mutations in the DNA that have been studied empirically all show a lose of information not a gain in information. In the Beak of the Finch page 260 scientists found that bacteria mutated to become resistant to antibiotics by losing information. These empirical studies work against the theoretical predictions of mutations as postulated by Neo Darwinian Evolution.
The Mathematical Challenges to Neo Darwinism held in Philadephia in 1966 concluded that it is extremely difficult to assemble a new gene or protein by chance. For example a relatively short protein of 150 amino acids has one change out of
The present empirical evidence in the study of DNA and the nearly impossible math ematical odds of creating new genetic information by random chance makes mutations an unlikely source of novel and more complex information as required by Neo Darwinian Theory. Mutations as a source of new information is vital to Neo Darwinian evolutionary theory. Present empirical evidence does not support the necessary role of mutations in Neo Darwinian evolutionary theory.
