I love these types of experiments... Just the other day, I was wondering if I turned up the temperature on our cell incubator by 0.1 °C each month, and continued to culture the same cell line in it, how high could I get the temperature before the cells gave out? Unfortunately, I don't think my boss will allocate an incubator to satisfy this curiosity. I share too many crazy ideas with him as it is.
- So in short, evolution can appear a lazy process if it can get away with it.
Hm. Perhaps I misunderstand what you are saying, but it is not a matter of taking its time getting somewhere ("lazy"). It has already arrived at what is a relatively optimal genotype, if the ecological context remains stable and a low probability mutation doesn't land a subset on a higher fitness gradient. Unfortunately, I don't think my boss will allocate an incubator to satisfy this curiosity. I share too many crazy ideas with him as it is. I have a feeling you will be successful, so perhaps soon you will be able to buy all the incubators you want! :)Just the other day, I was wondering if I turned up the temperature on our cell incubator by 0.1 °C each month, and continued to culture the same cell line in it, how high could I get the temperature before the cells gave out?
- Hm. Perhaps I misunderstand what you are saying, but it is not a matter of taking its time getting somewhere ("lazy"). It has already arrived at what is a relatively optimal genotype, if the ecological context remains stable and a low probability mutation doesn't land a subset on a higher fitness gradient.
I guess I was being a bit silly with 'lazy'. But what I meant, is that evolution leads to the most easily attained maxima and settles in, even if it isn't the most advantageous or stable one. Evolution to a 'good enough' state. Thanks for the vote of confidence!I have a feeling you will be successful, so perhaps soon you will be able to buy all the incubators you want! :)