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We’ll simulate population changes on a theoretical planet with a water content at least that of the earth. With no other life forms except one-celled organisms of almost uniform characteristics, we may be able to judge how the principles of survi- val of the fittest apply to evolutionary potential in an environment that is similar to what some believe to be the biological condition of this earth long ago.
In these examinations we’ll look into three types of potential changes within the cell, two of which might, eventually, result in a cell structure that would allow for establish- ing an energy source other than light. We’ll examine the implications that such changes would have, applying the principles of survival of the fittest.
We’ll assume, for the purposes of these examinations, that the principle potential for the creation of new biological forms is in genetic mutation. In these simulations, when a mutation occurs that’s not negative to immediate survivability, it’ll be placed into one of four categories:
1) Beneficial by improving survivability such as increased efficiency in converting light to energy or in cell efficiency, or reproduction, etc (“C1”)
2) No immediate benefit apparent but there is a slight change within the cell that might become, over many generations, part of a structure that uses an energy source other than light (“C2”)
3) A mutation that is a combination of the above two, in that it increases both immediate survivability and the potential for a future energy source other than light (“C3”)
4) No positive effect and no change that would ever result in any structure related to an energy source other than light
A significant factor in population ratio changes is that the first and third categories of mutation are more competitive than the original parent population.
The third category of genetic mutation will be very rare. The fourth category is deemed most common of the four types, however multiple generation calculations are not needed for the organisms of this type as they do not significantly compete nor influence potential evolutionary changes either directly or indirectly.
It is stipulated that genetic mutations are more common with:
1) A larger population of organisms
2) A population which exists for a longer time
This means that if a population of variety “A” is five times as numerous as population “B”, it would be expected that over a period of time, there would be five times as many mutations in group “A” as group “B”. (the groups being very similar organisms.) It also means that a group that has not existed very long will have fewer mutations than a similar-sized population (of very similar organisms) that is older.
We’ll also consider the concept of “baggage” in regard to survival of the fittest. For the purposes of these examinations, baggage refers to a structure that is not beneficial for the short term survivability or propagation of an organism but which may be useful in the distant future, provided it can become part of a more elaborate structure that will have a positive effect. Baggage does not include those mutations which have obvious negative influences on survivability, but to those few mutations which do not appear harmful to immediate survivability. Nevertheless, an important part of this concept is that an accumulation of baggage will negatively effect the population of a group compared with how it would fare if there was no baggage. There is no free ride in a world dominated by survival of the fittest. Though a very small cell structure that does not benefit immediate survivability may have very little negative effect, an accu- mulation of baggage will be slightly detrimental to the survivability of a subpopulation until what was formerly called “baggage” becomes a useful structure that will en- able an alternate energy source to be used by the target organism. |
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