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[marilyn.monroe]

Here is a short definition of the word from Encyclopedia Brittanica:
Phenotypic plasticity is a way in which organisms can harmonize the conflict between stability and variability—that is, the way in which the morphological expression of a given genotype varies under different environmental conditions.

I don't know much about this subject. I was reading an article earlier,

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090112/sc_livescience/superpredatorshumansforcerapidevolutionofanimals

and my attention was caught by a dispute about the cause of rapid changes we are seeing in animals.
Some scientists say it is evolution and some say it is phenotypic.

We still don't have the missing links to the theory of evolution, and perhaps the reason is because the theory is wrong. Maybe things don't evolve at all, maybe they are just equipped to adapt to their environments. Our universe can seem quite chaotic, but I think that is actually what keeps it thriving. It seems logical that an intelligent designer would equip his creations with the ability to adapt.

What are your thoughts on Phenotypic Plasticity?

[zard0z]

Here is a short definition of the word from Encyclopedia Brittanica:
Phenotypic plasticity is a way in which organisms can harmonize the conflict between stability and variability—that is, the way in which the morphological expression of a given genotype varies under different environmental conditions.

I don't know much about this subject. I was reading an article earlier,

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090112/sc_livescience/superpredatorshumansforcerapidevolutionofanimals

and my attention was caught by a dispute about the cause of rapid changes we are seeing in animals.
Some scientists say it is evolution and some say it is phenotypic.

We still don't have the missing links to the theory of evolution, and perhaps the reason is because the theory is wrong. Maybe things don't evolve at all, maybe they are just equipped to adapt to their environments. Our universe can seem quite chaotic, but I think that is actually what keeps it thriving. It seems logical that an intelligent designer would equip his creations with the ability to adapt.

What are your thoughts on Phenotypic Plasticity?

What are you looking for in a missing link...?

[marilyn.monroe]

What are you looking for in a missing link...?

Hmm. You mean missing links in evolution? I'm not really looking for anything. I am interested in fossils and dna. This phenotypic plasticity has my interest.

[zard0z]

Hmm. You mean missing links in evolution? I'm not really looking for anything. I am interested in fossils and dna. This phenotypic plasticity has my interest.

I only asked because you say that if there are no missing links to support evolution...

May I persent...

Australopithecus

Pithecanthropus

Neanderthal

Cro-Magnon

Which by the way, happen to fall all within the line of descent in the aspect of progression and progress of time.

[marilyn.monroe]

I only asked because you say that if there are no missing links to support evolution...

May I persent...

Australopithecus

Pithecanthropus

Neanderthal

Cro-Magnon

Which by the way, happen to fall all within the line of descent in the aspect of progression and progress of time.

Geez. Thanks. I'm not up for debating the theory of evolution, but I would like to learn more about phenotypic plasticity or hear some thoughts on it!
Oh maybe I am. There's more to evolution than the hypothesis man evolved from an ape-like creature, that is probably the most discussed aspect of the theory.
What do you think about the phenotypic plasticity as compared to the theory of evolution?
Heck, for all I know PP is a theory too.

[zard0z]

What do you think about the phenotypic plasticity as compared to the theory of evolution?

I consider it a part of it...Just another aspect of the same train of thought and process of change.

A species changing within it's own environment...Through it might be able to "see" the phenotypic plasticity aspect of it.

[zard0z]

Heck, for all I know PP is a theory too.

  That's just it, it's all theory...

[marilyn.monroe]

  That's just it, it's all theory...

Not sure what you mean by "all."

[DeamonCohln]

Alrighty, let's examine it. Phenotypes are the expression of genes in an organism. Evolution is the change in allelic frequency over time. It is evolution, but on a very small scale.

Hunters looking for the big bucks artificially select the bucks with the largest antlers as to have a good prize. This changes the selective pressure for the environment. Small antlers become more suitable for a deer to survive to reproduce and pass on the gene frequency for smaller antlers.

It's evolution, but on a small scale. Over a large amount of time and with the right selective pressure, we will get different traits, or even different species if two populations get separate by geography or other ways.

[marilyn.monroe]

Alrighty, let's examine it. Phenotypes are the expression of genes in an organism. Evolution is the change in allelic frequency over time. It is evolution, but on a very small scale.

Hunters looking for the big bucks artificially select the bucks with the largest antlers as to have a good prize. This changes the selective pressure for the environment. Small antlers become more suitable for a deer to survive to reproduce and pass on the gene frequency for smaller antlers.

It's evolution, but on a small scale. Over a large amount of time and with the right selective pressure, we will get different traits, or even different species if two populations get separate by geography or other ways.

No, it's phenotypic plasticity, not "evolution on a small scale." If that is what you want to call it, feel free. Not very scientific of you. Thanks for your input.

[DeamonCohln]

No, it's phenotypic plasticity, not "evolution on a small scale." If that is what you want to call it, feel free. Not very scientific of you. Thanks for your input.

Just because you hate the word "evolution" does not mean it does not exist Marylin.

[DeamonCohln]

Also, from the article:

"The pace of changes we're seeing supercedes by a long shot what we've observed in natural systems, and even in systems that have been rapidly modified by humans in other ways," Darimont said. The study found the changes outpace by 50 percent those brought on by pollution and human introduction of alien species.

"As predators, humans are a dominant evolutionary force," he said.

[marilyn.monroe]

Also, from the article:

"The pace of changes we're seeing supercedes by a long shot what we've observed in natural systems, and even in systems that have been rapidly modified by humans in other ways," Darimont said. The study found the changes outpace by 50 percent those brought on by pollution and human introduction of alien species.

"As predators, humans are a dominant evolutionary force," he said.

Now we are getting somewhere!
Darimont told LiveScience that while he considers the changes to be evolutionary, some biologists consider them phenotypic and, without evidence of genetic shifts, would not call them evolution.

[DeamonCohln]

Now we are getting somewhere!
Darimont told LiveScience that while he considers the changes to be evolutionary, some biologists consider them phenotypic and, without evidence of genetic shifts, would not call them evolution.

again. Let me state the definition of evolution as a genetic force:

"The change in allelic frequency over time in a population."

From what I see Phenotypic Plasticity is just a certain type of evolution that goes with the artificial selection we see by the hunter.

[marilyn.monroe]

Evolution:
1.  A gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form. See Synonyms at development.
2.
a. The process of developing.
b. Gradual development.
3. Biology
a. Change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations, as a result of natural selection acting on the genetic variation among individuals, and resulting in the development of new species.
b. The historical development of a related group of organisms; phylogeny.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/evolution

I think gradual is the key word here.

I do, however, respect your right to your opinion.