Adaptation Quote by Lee Spetner
““I am suggesting here that organisms have a built-I capability of adapting to their environment. I am suggesting that to the extent that evolution occurs, it occurs at the level of the organism. This suggestion differs sharply from the thesis of the NDT, which holds that evolution occurs only at the level of the population. Organisms contain within themselves the information that enables them to develop a phenotype adaptive to a variety of environments. The adaptation can occur by a change in the genome through a genetic change triggered by the environment, or it can occur without any genetic change.””
About This Quote
Source Paper: Evolutionary Biology, 1995
Organisms can adapt individually to environments, not just populations, via genetic or non‑genetic changes.
In simple terms: Organisms adapt on their own, sometimes without DNA changes.
Key Takeaway
Consider both genetic and phenotypic flexibility.
Themes
evolution
adaptation
individualism
genetics
phenotypic plasticity
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
scientific
theoretical
When to use this quote
- medicine
- conservation
- agricultural breeding
Key Concepts
gene regulation
environmental triggers
developmental biology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do non‑genetic changes influence evolution?
- What evidence supports organism‑level adaptation?
A Different Perspective
Adaptation may be limited by genetic constraints.
