Woese's Evolutionary Model: A Closer Look

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the Woese model of evolution, particularly its basis in 16/18 rRNA and its comparison to the classical model of evolution. Participants express their familiarity with the models and their educational backgrounds regarding evolutionary theory.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the classical model of evolution was taught in high school and university, while the Woese model was introduced in microbiology, suggesting a difference in educational focus.
  • Another participant acknowledges seeing the Woese depiction of evolution but has not previously referred to it as the Woese model.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about their familiarity with the name "Woese," indicating they may have seen the evolutionary tree without connecting it to him.
  • There is a suggestion that the Woese model may change perceptions of evolution, although this is not universally agreed upon.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express varying levels of familiarity with the Woese model, with some having seen the evolutionary tree but not recognizing it as Woese's work. There is no consensus on the impact of the Woese model on perceptions of evolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants' responses indicate a lack of clarity regarding the naming and recognition of the Woese model, as well as differing educational experiences related to evolutionary theory.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in evolutionary biology, educational approaches to teaching evolution, and the historical development of evolutionary models may find this discussion relevant.

Have you ever heard of Woese's Model of Evolution

  • Yes

    Votes: 3 50.0%

  • No

    Votes: 3 50.0%
  • Total voters
    6
iansmith
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I have observed that many people have question about evolution. When I look back at high school we got to learn the classical model (see diagram below) of evolution and this model was also though in the university level zoology and plant biology whereas in microbiology we got to learn the Woese model of evolution based on 16/18 rRNA (the paper for the propose model is free on this site http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=2112744) rather than the classical model. Woese model of evolution (the attach picture show his proposed model) is more accurate than the classical model. Woese also proposed a model for cell evolution that goes with his evolution tree. Here a link for the paper and it's free http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=12077305

What I was wodering is how many people are aware of Woese model of evolution?

If you know Woese's model where did you learn about it.
If you never hear of Woese's model would you be interrested in learning more (maybe I'll write a paper).

Classical Model of Evolution (I simplified the model therefore it's not as accurate as desired)

Plant Animal Fungi
| | |
| | |
| | |
|__________|______________|
|
Protozoan
|
|
Bacteria
|
|
ArcheaBacteria
|
First single Cell


Additional link for Woese model
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=10900003 (Interpreting the universal phylogenetic tree)
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=11537862 (On the Nature of Global Classification)
 

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  • woesethree.jpg
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I see the woese picture of Evolution everywhere, but I have never heard it referred to as the woese model before...

I did also know of a study of evolution being done based on 16/18 RNA.

But yeah, that's about it. I think I just heard about it briefly a few times over during the course of my degree...
 
Originally posted by Another God
I see the woese picture of Evolution everywhere, but I have never heard it referred to as the woese model before...

It does not matte if you saw Woese name ore not. What I was wondering was if people saw the tree or not before, because it change you perception of evolution.
 
Seen the tree, yes. The name "Woese", no.
 

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