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D. radiodurans has evolved something close to 'perfect DNA repair mechanisms' without becoming extinct [1] I would say the heightened risk of extinction relies
by blacksmith_tb 10y ago
D. radiodurans has evolved something close to 'perfect DNA repair mechanisms' without becoming extinct [1] I would say the heightened risk of extinction relies on the assumption that the environment will change and the organism will not be able to adapt (without mutations). But for many bacteria, that seems unlikely to occur.
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinococcus_radiodurans#Ionizing-radiation_resistance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinococcus_radiodurans#Ionizi...
- Houshalter 10y agoThat is very interesting. Although there are more sources of mutation than just radiation.
- webmaven 10y agoWe've observed in the lab that in bacteria harmful changes in the environment increase the number of mutations. Further, we've observed that in many cases the mutations tend to be in the genes that are most closely related to the change. That is, if the PH drops to the point it is causing mutations, many bacteria will tend to get those mutations in genes that are likely to increase tolerance for acidity! Now that is what I call evolved evolvability.