Detecting sex reduces genetic changes

Biological textbooks have always said that the main function of sex is to promote genetic diversity. However, Henry Heng, PhD - associate professor, works at the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, USA, disagreeing with the view.

Heng and researcher Gorelick, Ph.D., an assistant professor, working at Carleton University, in Canada, all said that although diversity may be the result of a combination of genes. However, the main function of sex is not to promote diversity. Instead, sexual activity aims to preserve the organism's complete collection of genes, so that the orderly arrangement of chromosome components and the genetic link structure, tends to remain unchanged, only Maintain the identity of a species. This surprising analysis was published in Evolution magazine.

Dr. Henry Heng, associate professor.

Heng said: " If sex is merely to increase genetic diversity, then genital organs will not be the first place of evolution ." This is because asexual reproduction, in which only one parent is needed for reproduction, will lead to a higher rate of genetic diversity than sex.

For nearly 130 years, the traditional perception is that asexual reproduction produces identical copies and normal reproduction through sexual intercourse will result in children with more genetic diversity. " In fact, however, this relationship is quite the opposite ," Heng said.

Asexual reproduction not only gives a higher rate of genetic diversity, it is also twice as effective a reproductive method as sexual reproduction.

In fact, two billion years ago in the Earth's biosphere, life relied entirely on asexual reproduction, and every organism has the ability to reproduce asexually without having to compete for mating. In the animal world, asexual reproduction is faster and more effective than sexual reproduction. The origins and sexual relations are not necessarily the most suitable means of reproduction, which is a puzzle that has puzzled scientists for decades. Why does sex exist?

Although many scientists have suggested answering this question, most focus on the benefits of mixing or refining genes. But when reconsidering genetic theory, Heng's discovery could reverse the understanding of biological evolutionary research.

According to Heng, the potential benefit of sex over asexual is evolution at the macro level, which is genome-level progression, to identify species characteristics. In other words, it prevents " species A " from turning into " species B ". Meanwhile, it also allows evolution at the micro level, the evolution at the genetic level, allowing members of the species to adapt to the environment.

Analyzing the results of their research and those of paleontologists, geneticists, ecologists cited in the article, Heng and Gorelick said that new research should focus. into the genome, not just individual genes, because the genome serves: both the genetic information unit and the packaging for evolution.