http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141218210100.htm
December 18, 2014
Emory Health Sciences
Scientists have spent two decades studying the evolution that resulted in the color vision humans have today. Our vision is the result of numerous mutations of five major opsin genes over millions of years to transform into the ability to see a spectrum of colors from the dim view our primate ancestors had.
This article directly relates to what we have learned because we have learned about Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection.This article shows the mutations our ancient population experienced to ultimately result in our ability to see color. These mutations led to variation in the gene pool. Those with better vision had a higher survival rate and therefore the mutation was passed down.
How would the individual genes, if they truly had no effect, stick around long enough to combine into color vision?
ReplyDeleteFrom my research, I couldn't find a definite answer, but I think that the individual gene mutations were silent mutations, so they were passed down without affecting the fitness. Maybe when an organism happened to inherit all of the mutations or at least a combination, the mutations would finally result in a change in the phenotype.
DeleteWhat advantages do you think color vision provided? After all, like you said, it would have to be beneficial for individuals since it was passed on.
ReplyDeleteI didn't find much, but an example of how color vision increased fitness include primates being able to see which fruits are ripe (red/yellow) and which are unripe (green). Also there is a theory that because primates could see red, they could detect emotion in other primates in the form of skin flushing, though I'm not sure how that would help them survive.
DeleteWhy did the people with color vision have a higher survival rate?
ReplyDelete