Faster sexual genes

2000/03/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Biologia

A study at the University of Chicago affirms one of the hypotheses about Darwin's evolution: the need and pressure to reproduce are one of the engines of evolution.

The genes that produce sperm of males, gorillas and chimpanzees have been studied and, although the specimens of the same species were almost identical, observed that these genes are totally different from one species to another. Man, gorilla and chimpanzee did not go away so long ago and many genetic materials are equal.

Genes that generate sperm have evolved much faster than others. According to the researchers, the need to reproduce and the competition between males are the factors that drive the rapid evolution of these genes. Evolution is driven mainly by the overcoming of the other males and, consequently, by the increase of the possibilities of having more offspring and not by the need to adapt better to the environment.