DNA discussion

[Linn]

Kim, some mules are not sterile.
Just found that out not to long ago myself.
thank you BTW for your terrific explanation,
I learned a lot.

[LilKim]

so this is pretty darn interesting!

From all of introductory genetics classes (i've taken about 10-million of them ... and i'm taking my last molecular genetics class right now... thank-God!) they use a mule as a classic example of genomic instability as a result of breeding two different species. (having different chromosomal compliments)

So, i went to wikipedia... and yes, they recapitulate what Linn said. However they make it seems as if this is the exception to the norm... so, mules have given birth in isolated incidents. (It has to do with specific mating and segregation of chromosomes... i'm too tired now to actually figure out how exactly it works).

But it seems as if the theory of significantly reduced fertility (and sterility most of the time) still stands in reference to mules because of genetics???

but, check it out!!! let me know what you think?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mule

And.. thanks for the compliment on explaining ... I try to explain stuff to my dog all of the time .. and he give me this blank-stare (like i'm crazy or something)... but it's nice to know that I make sense to someone else.. besides myself. thanks!

- kim

[LilKim]

Wouldent that mean theres a mistake in one of the two species gene? or Thats just the way it is?

Oh.. it's not that it's a mistake... it's more like DNA incompatibility. Each species has a different arrangement and compliment of DNA. However many species have same or very similar genes... but evolution has picked the best genetic composition for each species. And thus most species are simply not genetically compatible.

[Linn]

Oh.. it's not that it's a mistake... it's more like DNA incompatibility. Each species has a different arrangement and compliment of DNA. However many species have same or very similar genes... but evolution has picked the best genetic composition for each species. And thus most species are simply not genetically compatible

.

besides mules,
other uncommon,animal crosses occasionaly happen too.
It IS intersting!

[Khaiy]

That's just the way it is. In every case I've heard of, cross species hybrids of animals don't produce normal/any reproductive cells (particularly in male hybrids), and thus cannot reproduce. It doesn't mean that there was some error in the genes that the parents passed on to the hybrid, the combination just doesn't work very well.

[Linn]

I am interested in the arrangment with fox/dog /coyote or wolf/ jackal relationship.
do you know about that.
I do believe (not sure), that the (is it the southern fox? )
possable to have viable ofspring with the above.

I will have to get my book and return later to be sure that is the corect species I am remembering.
. in the mene time does any one know?
thanx