[MD] Oneness, Dualism & Intellect

[Horse]

Hi PLatt

OK, forget viruses, as they are not strictly life. However, bacteria 
(single and multi-cellular organisms) are true life and constitute the 
majority of life on the planet. Bacteria are the bugs and super-bugs 
that Ian referred to.

Here's something from Wikipedia:

"Bacteria, as asexual organisms, inherit identical copies of their 
parent's genes (i.e., they are clonal). However, all bacteria can evolve 
by selection on changes to their genetic material DNA caused by genetic 
recombination or mutations. Mutations come from errors made during the 
replication of DNA or from exposure to mutagens. Mutation rates vary 
widely among different species of bacteria and even among different 
clones of a single species of bacteria. Genetic changes in bacterial 
genomes come from either random mutation during replication or 
"stress-directed mutation", where genes involved in a particular 
growth-limiting process have an increased mutation rate.
Some bacteria also transfer genetic material between cells. This can 
occur in three main ways. Firstly, bacteria can take up exogenous DNA 
from their environment, in a process called transformation. Often, the 
genes transferred are not from within the main bacterial chromosome, but 
are carried on a small circular piece of DNA called a plasmid. Genes can 
also be transferred by the process of transduction, when the integration 
of a bacteriophage introduces foreign DNA into the chromosome. The third 
method of gene transfer is bacterial conjugation, where DNA is 
transferred through direct cell contact. This gene acquisition from 
other bacteria or the environment is called horizontal gene transfer and 
may be common under natural conditions.[94] Gene transfer is 
particularly important in antibiotic resistance as it allows the rapid 
transfer of resistance genes between different pathogens."

Bacteria are constantly evolving into new forms without human or other 
interference and thus constitute ongoing biological evolution.


Horse