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This book gives and excellent discussion of the connection between paleontology, physiology, and evolutionary biology. Every evolution denyer should have one.
This is a phenomenal book, and I highly recommend it to everyone. They are identical at the cellular and genetic level- but simply used for other purposes in other organisms, as the Theory of Evolution has always stated. They say there are too many unique structures in too many organisms, found nowhere else.
If you are unfamiliar with the study of fossils or embryological development, Shubin explains these step-by-step. Shubin proves the lie behind these statements. Shubin has managed to write for the biology neophyte as well as the more adept, creating a work that is interesting no matter your level of expertise.
And if you want to find the truth of this, you must go to the cellular or genetic levels. If you've got a degree in biology, then you will learn new, fascinating ways in which we are linked with our ancestors. (I've been excited to apply the knowledge that our blood won't flow up our leg veins without regular exercise).There are some out there who claim that there are structures that are irreducibly complex, and can't possibly evolve.
He shows again and again how the structures that we have in our bodies are nearly identical to structures in reptiles, amphibians, bony fish, flies, worms, and even anemones and sponges. And it is because of our genetic lineage of jerry-rigged bodies that we have so many maladies today, from mitochondrial illnesses to hernias- vivid proof that we are in no way intelligently designed.
Dr. This book is an excellent read and I would recommend it to anyone. Shubin has really delivered on this one. This book is for novices and experts alike. Easy to follow narrative, the photos and examples that are shown are explained in depth and allow you to visualize nicely. If you have small children they too will be entranced by images of the Tiktaalik and find it intriguing. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book, it is hands down one of the best books I've read.
DNA is present in every cell, but certain genes are only turned on in certain cells, like only in nasal cells, here. 99% of species which ever lived are extinct.2. I was hoping the book would have been more insightful like, 'OK, we evolved from earlier life, but what does that mean, besides where we came from.' Anyway, the book is covers evolution well, mentioning things like this:1. 12. Collagen is important for body development - it comprises 90% of a body's protein, by weight.9 Probably, when oxygen first appeared in the air, did land animal bodies develop.10. Likely, the eye developed the ability to see in color when so many different colors of plants/food emerged.
Specifically, this is when fish fins began having bones like in our upper arm, forearm and parts of the wrist.4. About 375 million years ago appeared the first intermediate form of life in fish which led to the appearance of a land animal. There are exceptional similarities among creatures as different as frogs and humans.5. Genes are switches to make fingers, arms, toes, etc.6. "Your Inner Fish" looks at how humans evolved. Stages of development for every creature are similar. There is an 'organizer cell'.8.
Since soft tissues in bodies don't fossilize, that is why DNA is so important to study the history of bodies.11. The sense of smell developed as a tool for survival. The head is made up of plates, blocks and rods. Fossils are one of the major lines of evidence we use to understand ourselves.3. Sense of smell genes make up 3% of the human genome, but most are inactive/useless unlike other animals which needed better senses of smell to survive.
Teeth are important to study - likely evolved when animals began eating other animals - feathers, scales, etc became necessary because of teeth.7. No developing living thing begins with a head. Likely, most of such human genes are inactive because they weren't needed as the eye was developed so well in humans. The bottom line is that every living thing has parents, the operative term being 'descent with modification.'
A book well written with a lot of information. A passionate description of the relationships between us (our body) and all the life that came before us (fish, worms, flies,.).I wish "intelligent design" believers spend more time reading good books like this one instead of wasting their time studying legends from the bronze age (aka bible).
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