Waiting for Fitzgerald - Page 239

Secret_Agent_Man · 10-21-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by paigowprincess
SAMMY! Who loves ya, baby? How are things on the ole DC board? Still running a tight, on topic ship? Any JWAD sightings? Mario?

Do you know how sometimes, when your sphincter is really tight, you produce a very slender stool?

S_A_M

baltassoc · 10-21-2005, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
179-12

How is that, patent boy?

Gattigap · 10-21-2005, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baltassoc
How is that, patent boy?

Don't waste your time with this. It sounds like you ned to go to the airport, pronto, and try standby.

Hank Chinaski · 10-21-2005, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gattigap
Don't waste your time with this. It sounds like you ned to go to the airport, pronto, and try standby.

182-12

Secret_Agent_Man · 10-21-2005, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
I ask, focused example now, how does a single celled animal that splits to reproduce become Sebastian Dangerfield who has a penis that ejects fertilizing sperm, usually into Kleenex, but on occasion into a mate, and someday resulting in offspring.

Spat Diet Coke on that one.

S_A_M

baltassoc · 10-21-2005, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
182-12

Outline a theory for how this is somehow a win. Then sketch out a test protocal.(sic)

Gattigap · 10-21-2005, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
182-12

Rating those as "wins" helps explain your quest for a 23-fecta.

cheval de frise · 10-21-2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
Outline a theory for how a single cell mutates into an animal having organ systems. Then sketch out a test protocal.

SHP, soup and balt already laid out the theory. The protocol requires an understanding of which specific mutations have which (cumulative) effects, often at different points in a biochemical and developmental cascade. One has to correlate phenotypic effects with specific genetic changes, understand what direct effect (if any) those changes have on gene expression (i.e., level/developmental timing/duration), regulatory feedback loops, resultant protein sequences and conformational consequences (protein folding is a four-dimensional process)...and so on. These are complex questions but they do have answers. Geneticists and biochemists are working on all of these problems now. As other posters have said, the probability that a SINGLE mutation could be responsible for the development of an entire organ is zero. Scientists are sequencing and deciphering non-human genomes as we type. The mouse genome was published recently, as was (I believe) the chimpanzee genome. Comparative genetics has already provided significant insights. We have a plan for getting the information that will answer your specific question, and are going about obtaining that information...unlike proponents of certain alternative "theories."

By the way, evolution is a fact, not a theory, at least at the micro level. Scientists have directly observed and altered the characteristics of lab bacteria by manipulating their environments over thousands of successive generations. One can selectively "evolve" bacteria that tolerate certain poisons or do not need certain nutrients. Natural processes have also resulted in such organisms. Blind cavefish with vestigial eyes are on the path towards ridding themselves of those organs. Once a transposon-driven (or direct) mutation inactivates the gene(s) responsible for ocular structural development -- and that mutation doesn't result in negative selective pressure because their environment doesn't require eyes -- eyeless cavefish will appear in increased numbers proportional to the overall population (known in human genetics as "the founder effect"). It's a messy process. There is evidence that certain attributes have evolved more than once, then died out as other, more beneficial mutations confer additional advantages in populations not having the original mutation. Environment plays a gigantic role. There are multiple false starts. At the end of the day, though, it is fairly clear how the overall process works. The biochemical details simply take a lot of parallel work (and computer power) to figure out.

Ramen.

CDF (on the one day I happen to visit the board for old times' sake, y'all have a GENETICS discussion???? I'm having flashbacks to MY prior professional life.)

(Edited to fix formatting)

Hank Chinaski · 10-21-2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baltassoc
protocal.(sic)

183-12

(and when you criticize spelling, you are starting to hurt people's image of RT and I'm not going to stand here and let that happen.)

Hank Chinaski · 10-21-2005, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gattigap
Rating those as "wins" helps explain your quest for a 23-fecta.

not quest. achievement. and it was a 25-fecta, thank you.

baltassoc · 10-21-2005, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
183-12

(and when you criticize spelling, you are starting to hurt people's image of RT and I'm not going to stand here and let that happen.)

She told me she's never going to sleep with you.

Gattigap · 10-21-2005, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cheval de frise

CDF (on the one day I happen to visit the board for old times' sake, y'all have a GENETICS discussion???? I'm having flashbacks to MY prior professional life.)

Hang around, chevy. We won't even invite TM.