Lynn Margulis: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverted edit(s) by 204.185.85.253 identified as test/vandalism using STiki.
Line 31: Line 31:
She later formulated a theory to explain how symbiotic relationships between organisms of often different phyla or kingdoms are the driving force of [[evolution]]. [[Genetic variation]] is proposed to occur mainly as a result of transfer of nuclear information between [[bacteria|bacterial cell]]s or [[virus]]es and [[eukaryotic cell]]s. While her organelle genesis ideas are widely accepted, symbiotic relationships as a current method of introducing genetic variation is something of a fringe idea.
She later formulated a theory to explain how symbiotic relationships between organisms of often different phyla or kingdoms are the driving force of [[evolution]]. [[Genetic variation]] is proposed to occur mainly as a result of transfer of nuclear information between [[bacteria|bacterial cell]]s or [[virus]]es and [[eukaryotic cell]]s. While her organelle genesis ideas are widely accepted, symbiotic relationships as a current method of introducing genetic variation is something of a fringe idea.


She did however, hold a negative view of certain interpretations of [[Neo-Darwinism]], excessively focused on inter-organismic competition, as she believed that history will ultimately judge them as comprising "a minor twentieth-century religious sect within the sprawling religious persuasion of Anglo-Saxon Biology."<ref name="EarthMother">{{cite doi|10.1126/science.252.5004.378}}</ref>
She also holds a negative view of certain interpretations of [[Neo-Darwinism]], excessively focused on inter-organismic competition, as she believed that history will ultimately judge them as comprising "a minor twentieth-century religious sect within the sprawling religious persuasion of Anglo-Saxon Biology."<ref name="EarthMother">{{cite doi|10.1126/science.252.5004.378}}</ref>
She also believed that proponents of the standard theory "wallow in their zoological, capitalistic, competitive, cost-benefit interpretation of Darwin – having mistaken him... Neo-Darwinism, which insists on [the slow accrual of mutations by gene-level natural selection], is in a complete funk."<ref name="EarthMother"/>
She also believed that proponents of the standard theory "wallow in their zoological, capitalistic, competitive, cost-benefit interpretation of Darwin – having mistaken him... Neo-Darwinism, which insists on [the slow accrual of mutations by gene-level natural selection], is in a complete funk."<ref name="EarthMother"/>


Revision as of 02:08, 30 October 2012

Lynn Margulis
Born(1938-03-05)March 5, 1938
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedNovember 22, 2011(2011-11-22) (aged 73)
Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Known forEndosymbiotic theory
AwardsWilliam Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement
Scientific career
FieldsBiology
Institutions[1]

Lynn Margulis (born Lynn Alexander[2]) (March 5, 1938 – November 22, 2011)[3] was an American biologist and University Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.[2][4] She is best known for her theory on the origin of eukaryotic organelles, and her contributions to the endosymbiotic theory, which is now generally accepted for how certain organelles were formed. She proved that animals, plants, and fungi all originated from protists. She is also associated with the Gaia hypothesis, based on an idea developed by the English environmental scientist James Lovelock.

Research

Endosymbiotic theory

Main article: Endosymbiotic theory

Lynn Margulis attended the University of Chicago, earned a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1960, and received her Ph.D. in 1963 from UC Berkeley. In 1966, as a young faculty member at Boston University, she wrote a theoretical paper entitled The Origin of Mitosing Eukaryotic Cells.[5] The paper however was "rejected by about fifteen scientific journals," Margulis recalled.[6] It was finally accepted by The Journal of Theoretical Biology and is considered today a landmark in modern endosymbiotic theory. Although it draws heavily on symbiosis ideas first put forward by mid-19th century scientists and by Merezhkovsky (1905) and Ivan Wallin (1920) in the early-20th century, Margulis's endosymbiotic theory formulation is the first to rely on direct microbiological observations (as opposed to paleontological or zoological observations which were previously the norm for new works in evolutionary biology). Weathering constant criticism of her ideas for decades, Margulis is famous for her tenacity in pushing her theory forward, despite the opposition she faced at the time.

The underlying theme of endosymbiotic theory, as formulated in 1966, was interdependence and cooperative existence of multiple prokaryotic organisms; one organism engulfed another, yet both survived and eventually evolved over millions of years into eukaryotic cells. Her 1970 book, Origin of Eukaryotic Cells, discusses her early work pertaining to this organelle genesis theory in detail. Currently, her endosymbiotic theory is recognized as the key method by which some organelles have arisen (see endosymbiotic theory for a discussion) and is widely accepted by mainstream scientists. The endosymbiotic theory of organogenesis gained strong support in the 1980s, when the genetic material of mitochondria and chloroplasts was found to be different from that of the symbiont's nuclear DNA.[7]

In 1995, prominent evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins had this to say about Lynn Margulis and her work:

I greatly admire Lynn Margulis's sheer courage and stamina in sticking by the endosymbiosis theory, and carrying it through from being an unorthodoxy to an orthodoxy. I'm referring to the theory that the eukaryotic cell is a symbiotic union of primitive prokaryotic cells. This is one of the great achievements of twentieth-century evolutionary biology, and I greatly admire her for it.[8]

Theory of symbiotic relationships driving evolution

She later formulated a theory to explain how symbiotic relationships between organisms of often different phyla or kingdoms are the driving force of evolution. Genetic variation is proposed to occur mainly as a result of transfer of nuclear information between bacterial cells or viruses and eukaryotic cells. While her organelle genesis ideas are widely accepted, symbiotic relationships as a current method of introducing genetic variation is something of a fringe idea.

She also holds a negative view of certain interpretations of Neo-Darwinism, excessively focused on inter-organismic competition, as she believed that history will ultimately judge them as comprising "a minor twentieth-century religious sect within the sprawling religious persuasion of Anglo-Saxon Biology."[9] She also believed that proponents of the standard theory "wallow in their zoological, capitalistic, competitive, cost-benefit interpretation of Darwin – having mistaken him... Neo-Darwinism, which insists on [the slow accrual of mutations by gene-level natural selection], is in a complete funk."[9]

She opposed such competition-oriented views of evolution, stressing the importance of symbiotic or cooperative relationships between species.

Controversies

In 2009 Margulis co-authored with seven others a paper stating "Detailed research that correlates life histories of symbiotic spirochetes to changes in the immune system of associated vertebrates is sorely needed" and urging the "reinvestigation of the natural history of mammalian, tick-borne, and venereal transmission of spirochetes in relation to impairment of the human immune system."[10] Margulis later argued that "there's no evidence that HIV is an infectious virus" and that AIDS symptoms "overlap ... completely" with those of syphilis.[11] Seth Kalichman cited her 2009 paper as an example of AIDS denialism "flourishing",[12] and argued that her "endorsement of HIV/AIDS denialism defies understanding." He also noted her position as a "9/11 Truth Seeker".[13]

In 2009, via a then-standard publication-process known as "communicated submission", she was instrumental in getting the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) to publish a paper by Donald I. Williamson rejecting "the Darwinian assumption that larvae and their adults evolved from a single common ancestor."[14][15] Williamson's paper provoked immediate response from the scientific community, including a countering paper in PNAS.[16] Conrad Labandeira of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History said, "If I was reviewing [Williamson's paper] I would probably opt to reject it," he says, "but I'm not saying it's a bad thing that this is published. What it may do is broaden the discussion on how metamorphosis works and…[on]…the origin of these very radical life cycles." But Duke University insect developmental biologist Fred Nijhout said that the paper was better suited for the "National Enquirer than the National Academy."[17] In September it was announced that PNAS would eliminate communicated submissions in July 2010. PNAS stated that the decision had nothing to do with the Williamson controversy.[15]

She appeared in the documentary 9/11: Explosive Evidence - Experts Speak Out [18]

Professional recognition

Personal background

Born and raised in Chicago's South Side, Margulis, along with her three siblings, attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.[24]

She attended the University of Chicago at age 14 having entered "because she wanted to go and they let me in".[25]

At 19, she married astronomer Carl Sagan. Their marriage lasted 8 years. Later, she married Dr. Thomas N. Margulis, a crystallographer. Her children are popular science writer and co-author Dorion Sagan, software developer and founder of Sagan Technology, Jeremy Sagan, New York City criminal defense lawyer Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma, and teacher and author Jennifer Margulis.[citation needed]

Her sister Joan Alexander married Nobel Laureate Sheldon Lee Glashow; another sister, Sharon, married mathematician Daniel Kleitman.

Death

Margulis died on November 22, 2011 at home in Amherst, Massachusetts, five days after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke.[26]

Select publications and bibliography

  • Margulis, Lynn, and Dorion Sagan, 2007, Dazzle Gradually: Reflections on the Nature of Nature, Sciencewriters Books, ISBN 978-1-933392-31-8
  • Margulis, Lynn, and Eduardo Punset, eds., 2007 Mind, Life and Universe: Conversations with Great Scientists of Our Time, Sciencewriters Books, ISBN 978-1-933392-61-5
  • Margulis, Lynn, 2007, Luminous Fish: Tales of Science and Love, Sciencewriters Books, ISBN 978-1-933392-33-2
  • Margulis, Lynn, and Dorion Sagan, 2002, Acquiring Genomes: A Theory of the Origins of Species, Perseus Books Group, ISBN 0-465-04391-7
  • Margulis, Lynn, et al., 2002, The Ice Chronicles: The Quest to Understand Global Climate Change, University of New Hampshire, ISBN 1-58465-062-1
  • Margulis, Lynn, 1998, Symbiotic Planet : A New Look at Evolution, Basic Books, ISBN 0-465-07271-2
  • Margulis, Lynn, and Karlene V. Schwartz, 1997, Five Kingdoms: An Illustrated Guide to the Phyla of Life on Earth, W.H. Freeman & Company, ISBN 0-613-92338-3
  • Margulis, Lynn, and Dorion Sagan, 1997, What Is Sex?, Simon and Schuster, ISBN 0-684-82691-7
  • Margulis, Lynn, and Dorion Sagan, 1997, Slanted Truths: Essays on Gaia, Symbiosis, and Evolution, Copernicus Books, ISBN 0-387-94927-5
  • Sagan, Dorion, and Lynn Margulis, 1993, The Garden of Microbial Delights: A Practical Guide to the Subvisible World, Kendall/Hunt, ISBN 0-8403-8529-3
  • Margulis, Lynn, 1992, Symbiosis in Cell Evolution: Microbial Communities in the Archean and Proterozoic Eons, W.H. Freeman, ISBN 0-7167-7028-8
  • Margulis, Lynn, ed., 1991, Symbiosis as a Source of Evolutionary Innovation: Speciation and Morphogenesis, The MIT Press, ISBN 0-262-13269-9
  • Margulis, Lynn, and Dorion Sagan, 1991, Mystery Dance: On the Evolution of Human Sexuality, Summit Books, ISBN 0-671-63341-4
  • Margulis, Lynn, and Dorion Sagan, 1987, Microcosmos: Four Billion Years of Evolution from Our Microbial Ancestors, HarperCollins, ISBN 0-04-570015-X
  • Margulis, Lynn, and Dorion Sagan, 1986, Origins of Sex : Three Billion Years of Genetic Recombination, Yale University Press, ISBN 0-300-03340-0
  • Margulis, Lynn, 1982, Early Life, Science Books International, ISBN 0-86720-005-7
  • Margulis, Lynn, 1970, Origin of Eukaryotic Cells, Yale University Press, ISBN 0-300-01353-1
  • Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 20203251, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=20203251 instead.
  • Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 19843691, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=19843691 instead.
  • Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 19271185, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=19271185 instead.
  • Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 17923858, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=17923858 instead.
  • Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 17203039, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=17203039 instead.
  • Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 16938841, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=16938841 instead.
  • Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 16052465, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=16052465 instead.
  • Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 12382325, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=12382325 instead.
  • Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 11818534, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=11818534 instead.

References

  1. ^ R, D. "Endosymbiosis: Lynn Margulis".
  2. ^ a b Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1038/480458a, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1038/480458a instead.
  3. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 22267805, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid= 22267805 instead.
  4. ^ Lynn Margulis biography at U. Mass. (Accessed July 15, 2006)
  5. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1016/0022-5193(67)90079-3, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1016/0022-5193(67)90079-3 instead.
  6. ^ John Brockman, The Third Culture, New York: Touchstone, 1995, 135.
  7. ^ Acceptance Doesn't Come Easy (Accessed July 15, 2006)
  8. ^ John Brockman, The Third Culture, New York: Touchstone, 1995, 144.
  9. ^ a b Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1126/science.252.5004.378, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1126/science.252.5004.378 instead.
  10. ^ Syphilis, Lyme disease & AIDS: Resurgence of “the great imitator”?, SYMBIOSIS Vol. 47, No. 1 (2009), pp. 51–58
  11. ^ Teresi D (April 2011). "Lynn Margulis: Q & A]". Discover Magazine: 66–70. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  12. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1007/s10865-010-9275-7, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1007/s10865-010-9275-7 instead.
  13. ^ Kalichman, Seth C. (2009). Denying AIDS: conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, and human tragedy By Seth C. Kalichman. Springer. p. 182. ISBN 0-387-79475-1.
  14. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1073/pnas.0908357106, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1073/pnas.0908357106 instead.
  15. ^ a b [1] Controversial caterpillar-evolution study formally rebutted, Scientific American Online
  16. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1073/pnas.0910229106, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1073/pnas.0910229106 instead.
  17. ^ Borrell, Brendan. "National Academy as National Enquirer ? PNAS Publishes Theory That Caterpillars Originated from Interspecies Sex". Scientific American. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  18. ^ 9/11: Explosive Evidence - Experts Speak Out.
  19. ^ Guest Lecturers
  20. ^ "Lynn Margulis | World Academy of Art & Science". Worldacademy.org. 2011-11-18. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  21. ^ "Lynn Margulis Scatters the Evolution Industry". Darwinthenandnow.com. 2011-05-01. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  22. ^ "Launches Sciencewriters Imprint". Chelsea Green. 2006-07-22. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  23. ^ [2]
  24. ^ Lynn Margulis biography
  25. ^ BBC Radio 4 "A Life With...(Series 5) – A life with Microbes, Broadcast 16 July 2009"
  26. ^ Lynn Margulis, Evolution Theorist, Dies at 73, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/25/science/lynn-margulis-trailblazing-theorist-on-evolution-dies-at-73.html
  • Interview and portrait of Lynn Margulis by Ariane Laroux in Portraits Parlés, éditions l'Age d'Homme (2006)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lynn Margulis.


Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lynn_Margulis&oldid=520527313"