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Molecular Anthropology pp 89–116Cite as

Random and Nonrandom Processes in the Molecular Evolution of Higher Organisms

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Part of the book series: Advances in Primatology ((AIPR))

Abstract

I will discuss the usefulness of approaching an understanding of evolution through a conceptual analysis of the random and nonrandom processes which occur at the molecular level of proteins and nucleic acids, rather than volunteer an exposition of mathematical methodology available elsewhere in the literature. A qualitatively incorrect concept, however mathematically transformed and quantified, remains biologically uninformative. A correct concept, even though imperfectly quantified, is at least useful; the quantitation can be improved as additional data and insight permit. With cautious optimism, Vogel et al. (this volume) state: “the prospects may not be so poor, provided that we do not expect to develop a final and altogether perfect concept. Our model should be refined step by step. After the first few steps, the picture admittedly may still be oversimplified, but at least the most obvious flaws of the old one are corrected.” On the other hand, the known facts are not likely to be accounted for by an arbitrary choice of model. The evolutionary model presented here embodies both selective (i. e., deterministic) and probabilistic evolutionary mechanisms; it reasonably accounts, both qualitatively and quantitatively, for both the observed random and nonrandom and the Darwinian and selectively neutral patterns of protein and nucleic acid variation. The values for evolutionary divergence between species which were calculated from this model when it was first published in 1972 (Holmquist et al., 1972; Jukes and Holmquist, 1972a) were at that time 2–4 times higher than the values then considered correct.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California, 94720, USA

    Richard Holmquist

Authors
  1. Richard Holmquist
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Morris Goodman

  2. University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Richard E. Tashian

  3. University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Jeanne H. Tashian

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© 1976 Plenum Press, New York

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Holmquist, R. (1976). Random and Nonrandom Processes in the Molecular Evolution of Higher Organisms. In: Goodman, M., Tashian, R.E., Tashian, J.H. (eds) Molecular Anthropology. Advances in Primatology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8783-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8783-5_6

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