Lecture 2 - Evolution Theory

Question 1

Research Domain Criteria

Answer 1

• Should be based on biology, cognitive sicence, and social science
• Should focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying the disorder
  
  • Thus, we need to understand evolution theory

Question 2

Adaptation

Answer 2

• Change in allele frequencies over time
• Constructed by natural selection
• Natural selection: Doesn’t care about survival unless it passes on genes
  • To maximally pass on genes. Survival is important to the extent that it passes on genes
• Adaptations are a claim about ancestral selection pressures
• Difference between ancestral selection and current selection
  
  • Ancestral gave it its shape but current pressures may not maintain it
• Adaptations have functions that are general associated with enhanced RS
• Function of a trait is not specifically to pass on genes
• The only thing natural selection can do is give traits a function that is correlated with reproductive success in ancestral environments

Question 3

Bacterial Flagellum Argument

Answer 3

• Argued as proof by intelligent designers. \
  
  • This is irreducibly complex and couldn’t have come from evolutionary processes
• ATPase complex is vestigial and unnecessary, can’t be intelligent design then. All pieces are not completely indespensible.
• All proteins but the flagellar motor are related. Motor must have been coopted in evolutionary history like mitochondria

Question 4

Exaptation, Disorder/Malfunction, Byproduct

Answer 4

• Exaptation: A trait with an adaptive effect, but not due to selection.
  
  • Black heron’s wings
• Malfunction: An adaptation not functioning properly (diabetes)
• Byproduct: A trait that is tied to adaptation, but not selected for it
  
  • Whiteness of bones
    *

Question 5

Reverse Engineering

(Antikythera Mechanism)

Answer 5

• Figure out the components and how they operate.
• Requires many specialities and the ability to infer function of each functional part of the mechanism before you can figure out
• Can use similar process to develop theories about human features (like the structure/function of the eye)