Evolutionary Theory Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Evolutionary Theory - Case Study Example Numerous species have not been named and as such lumping of organisms together as belonging to the genus and species classes may be incorrect as the case in the repopulation program in the Islands of St. Kitts and the neighboring Island of Nevis. These two species of rodents appear to be identical in morphological features and that is the reason why they were taken to be of the same species. However, their morphological similarities have nothing to do their genetic makeups since the DNA (Deoxy-Ribonucleic acid) are quite distinct from each other. The differences in DNA can be explained through concepts of evolutionary theories of natural selection of stabilizing selection and diversifying selection    This is a type of natural selection that experiences genetic diversity decrease in a population that that is stabilizing. It has been argued that this is the most common way through which natural selection takes place. As such, the stabilization process employs negative selection which results in organisms with intermediate phenotypes being selected. In the case of the two islands, it is quite clear that the rodents from the St. Kitts Island underwent a stabilizing selection because their traits seem to be normal or not very much different from those of the rodents from the other island of Nevis. Probably, the two islands were connected and after a natural disaster like an earthquake, they became separated. It follows that those rodents that had intermediate phenotypes were selected over those that had extreme phenotypes hence the development of the new distinct species. Diversifying selection is used to refer to the exact opposite of stabilizing selection whereby the extreme phenotypes in organisms are naturally selected over the intermediate phenotypes. This can be explained by the studies done by Charles Darwin in the Galapagos Island with regards to the finch populations.

Philosophy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 5

Philosophy - Assignment Example She responded with, â€Å"Being gay isn’t like trying on a pair of jeans, deciding you don’t like them, and then putting them back on the shelf. If you’re gay, you’re gay. There’s no changing that.† When I asked her if she was discriminated against for her sexual orientation, she answered with a simple yes, not going into further detail. Finally, I asked her if she would be accepting if her child started dating someone of the same sex. She said of course, and jokingly said she wouldn’t be accepting if they dated someone of the opposite sex. She went on to say that she would be supportive of whoever who child decided to date. Ashley seemed to be one of many gay people that did not seem even the slightest bit abashed to openly discuss her sexual orientation. She answered the questions with pride and dignity; she was very open in her responses and did not seem the least bit uncomfortable. She clearly feels strongly for the equality of gay people. Her response to my final question had been amusing. Even though it was said with humor, it showed a side that is seldom revealed about gay people: while heterosexual couples feel that homosexuality is odd and abnormal, the gay community often feels the same way about heterosexual couples. It was an interesting experience for me to see the two different sides of the story. Lauren is a 17 year old black female. When I asked her if gay people should be allowed to marry, she answered with, â€Å"What difference does it make if they are the same sex? Marriage is love, not gender.† I then asked if gay couples should be given full civil rights. She answered with a yes, explaining that America stands on equality and should extend the same rights to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. I asked her if being gay was something that could be changed. Similar to Ashley, she said that she believed that people did not really have a choice, and that many people try to date the opposite sex