A question about natural selection?

Question

Can anyone show me an example of where natural selection has added information to the genome rather than select from information that was already there?

Answer 1

mutations do not add info they just bring forward hidden info. (ex. a recessive trait) nat. sel. cannot add info

Answer 2

Yes.  Absolutely.

Classic example:  In Japan they have discovered a bacterium thriving in a waste pond near a factory that has developed an enzyme for digesting *nylon*!.   They can even trace the precise mutation (a frameshift mutation) that altered an existing enzyme to produce an entirely new enzyme.

Since nylon didn't exist before humans invented it in 1935, an enzyme that digests it, produced by a known frameshift mutation, is as crystal clear a case of "new information added to a genome" as you can get!

And just to clarify ... both mutations and natural selection add information to a genome.   The mutation added the new information in the *GENOME OF A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL* ... but it was natural selection that spread this new information to the *GENOME OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION OR SPECIES* (in this case the strain of bacteria populating the waste pond)... it clearly gave a survival advantage over those bacteria that didn't have it ... until all the bacteria in the pond now have this new mutation/new information.

Answer 3

genes are   codes that play a major  role in development of  many organism.

mutation is a change in genetic sequences of chromosome of an organismic.  so it changes the code as oppose to adding info.



Normally, natural  selection  is   achieved by environmental impact or expression of dominated gene.

  

Now, if we consider human genetic manipulation as adding info to the genome and consider it as a natural selection, then yes; many scientists and Co.   can show it you   . The process is called transfection, where a specific gene  or genes is added to genome. E.coli is most commonly transected bacteria.

many pharmaceuticals add specific genes to the bacteria genome   to  produce a selected protein  and medicine such as insulin,

To actuality see it, many molecular biologist    and advanced biology classes can actually "show" the process with scientific equip.

Answer 4

Yes.  Three new genes to transport the growth-limiting nutrient.

Answer 5

this is a very useful video - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=g0dIpYw75j...

Answer 6

There are definitely mutations that can add genetic information, though at first they are usually redundant.  For instance, Down Syndrome is a condition where meiosis doesn't occur exactly as it is supposed to and you end up with an extra copy of chromosome 21.  That would be extra information.  Then, you could imagine a scenario where it may be beneficial to have an extra copy of a gene, and then that gene would be selected for by natural selection.  Or, over time mutations occur to these "extra" genes that actually cause them to become different proteins or cause those proteins to be made at different times that may be more beneficial.

Sometimes cells swap lengths of DNA from one chromosome to another which can mess up some genes in the middle (or potentially improve them).  Sometimes cells simply replicate genes or whole chromosomes more than they were supposed to.  

I can't think of any specific example that has been shown in a lab, but certainly the very fact that all living things on Earth have different kinds and amounts of DNA is proof that DNA can be added to a genome and that those additions can be selected for or against.