Evo+Devo

=**__ Evolutionary Developmental Biology __**=

Evo Devo is a branch of biology that compares the developmental processes of various organisms in order to determine evolutionary relationships. Below are a series of videos on evo devo. The first two lectures are presented by Dr. Sean B. Carroll, a biology professor at the University of Wisconsin.

**__Video 1__** Part 1 of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's 2005 Holiday Lectures on Science series. Dr. Sean B. Carroll traces the development of evolutionary biology from Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle through the advent of modern genetics.

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**__Video 2__** Part 4 of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's 2005 Holiday Lectures in Science series. Dr. Sean B. Carroll discusses the evolutionary origin of novel innovations.

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**__Video 3__** The genes containing developmental instructions for the body plan are known as homeobox-containing genes. The DNA code in homeobox genes directs the cell to make chemical sequences, which in turn regulate still other genes that affect the positioning of cells in the embryo. While this sounds complicated, it is a far more elegant and simple mechanism than scientists thought could possibly be responsible for the enormous variation we see when we survey the animal kingdom.

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**__Video 4__** How does variation in genes generate the beautiful diversity of animal body shapes that fill the world? UCSD Biologist William McGinnis explains that all animals, whether fish, fowl, or fly, share similar architectural control genes called Homeobox genes. The discovery and study of these genes has led to an understanding of how subtle changes in Homeobox genes can lead to changes in animal form during evolution. Series: "Evolution Matters" [2/2008] [Science] [Show ID: 13545 ]

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Now, read the following two articles to get further information:





After watching these videos and reading these articles, let's reflect by posting your thoughts in the discussion tab. Here are some questions to think about to get you started? 
 * 1) Evo devo is a relatively new branch of biology. What does this branch of biology study?
 * 2) Before watching the videos or reading the articles: What ideas do you have to explain the immense diversity of body patterns that exist on earth?
 * 3) After watching the videos or reading the articles: What ideas did you learn about to explain the immense diversity of body patterns that exist on earth?
 * 4) The development of various body parts were given as examples throughout the videos and readings. For example, butterfly spot patterns, beak sizes and shapes, formation of eyes and legs, etc. Which did you find fascinating and why? (Cite the video or article). Can you scientifically explain the development of the diversity of this body part?
 * 5) What are homeobox genes and what role do they play in evo devo?
 * 6) What are “toolkit genes” and what role do they play in evo devo?
 * 7)  How does studying development aid our understanding of evolution?
 * 8)  How does studying evolution aid our understanding of development?