Teach Me

[muichimotsu]

I was thinking more in terms of why two organisms can't produce offspring. Suppose male1 and female1 produce offspring; male2 and female2 produce offspring; but male1 and female2 can't; male2 and female1 can't.

The "why" here might be better phrased as the how the phenomenon of reproduction has particular constraints. Cats and dogs cannot breed seemingly at all because of recombination of genes creating massive errors and such that are similar to how viruses would have to mutate more to actually become broadly zoonotic rather than just from one group to another as we have with Covid-19 (cats and dogs and such are safe, far as we can tell, it won't bond to them at all)

But with felines, they have similar genetic material so even if it involves human intervention, there can be breeding, the question becomes the offspring being able to breed as well, but hybrids tend to not be able to without more human intervention (Savannah cats come to mind immediately)

We can explain such things in terms of genetics because of the limitations in place that arguably allow us to understand more about diversity of species and also how they also share connections genetically that trace back (cats and dogs emerging from a common ancestor that was a carnivore, humans and apes tracing back to a common primate ancestor, etc)

The why entails a purpose and that's not really what science looks at so much as functions of a process that we can measure or test in some sense.

 

[Ophiolite]

I'm not going to be much help here - organisms are so diverse that it is nigh impossible to construct rules that govern all organisms. Are all swans black?

They are at night.

OK. What, then, is the fundamental theorem that begins to address that question?

It is not addressable by a theorem

If that is not an applicable approach for biology, so be it.

It looks that way.

RNA, like clay, is crystalline.

Yes, let's focus on sexual reproduction for now.

Are you channelling Carins-Smith?

I had also suggested we focus solely on birth rate.

How can we focus on birth rate if you prohibit the use of empirical, observational data?

Oh, I'm sorry. It was just a joke. It didn't seem this was a serious discussion, so I didn't think it would matter. I guess it's best I step back.

Whenever a member takes the time to write a cogent, understandable, objective post courtesy alone would suggest it should be treated seriously. But that's just the opinion of a single member and might be safely disregarded.

 

[Amittai]

...

So, I can either play the jester or exit the stage ...

Why not give us time to join in please !!!

 

[Amittai]

For what it's worth, each of the latest threads was begun sincerely. ...

You are enquiring in many of the right areas. The complex of answers will be well nigh infinitely complex! Don't let that put you off.

I just posted something about the secret life of plants under "999".

 

[Amittai]

... the logical structure you present needs to explain why life has variety. ...

Life wouldn't not have variety. This is what eco-system means.

 

[Amittai]

I assume N = population size, t = time, r = proportionality constant

How does one determine 'r'? Does it somehow relate to reproductive processes of the population that would lead to an average birth rate per organism?

If it is not constrained by the contingency of the density-dependent forces cited by essentialsaltes, yes, and these processes are connected to the creature's place in the ecosystem, e.g elephants breed slower than mice. Nature contains myriad damping / stabilising effects.