Origination of organismal form : beyond the gene in developmental and evolutionary biology

摘要: A more comprehensive version of evolutionary theory that focuses as much on the origin biological form its diversification. The field biology arose from desire to understand and diversity forms. In recent years, however, genetics, with focus modification inheritance presumed genetic programs, has all but overwhelmed other aspects biology. This led neglect study generative origins form. Drawing work developmental biology, paleontology, population cancer research, physics, theoretical this book explores multiple factors responsible for origination It examines essential problems morphological evolution-why, example, basic body plans nearly metazoans within a relatively short time span, why similar design motifs appear in phylogenetically independent lineages, how new structural elements are added plan given phylogenetic lineage. also discordances between phenotypic change, physical determinants morphogenesis, role epigenetic processes evolution. discusses these topics framework research agenda concerns interaction development evolution generation By placing processes, rather than gene sequence expression changes, at center origination, points way