Image from the article.
Posted on 10/22/2012 10:07:25 AM PDT by fishtank
Oyster Genome Confounds Mollusk Evolution by Jeffrey Tomkins, Ph.D., & Brian Thomas, M.S. *
Most evolutionists who study fossil mollusks believe these creatures evolved from a hypothetical ancestor that had no shell. How could nature, with no intelligent input, coax imagined soft-bodied ancestors to blindly construct the hard shells of oysters, which research now shows contain over 250 different proteins?1
A large team of scientists recently helped answer this question by sequencing the genome of the Pacific oyster.1 They not only uncovered the complicated genetic and cellular requirements for building an oyster shell, but also many other key features that defy evolutionary preconceptions.
Perhaps one of the most amazing aspects of the oyster genome is its vast gene repertoire. Humans have about 21,000 genes, but the team found that oysters use over 28,000 genes. When compared to seven other animal genomes, the researchers found 8,654 genes that only oysters have.
Because oysters are not highly mobile creatures and live in challenging and fluctuating environments—like estuaries and intertidal zones—they need a large suite of genes that allow them to adapt to changes in air exposure, toxins, temperature, and salinity. Indeed, the researchers identified 7,938 genes that contribute to genetically programmed environmental adaptation, which is a key component of the creation biological origins model.
Traditional thought suggests that adjacent cells excrete the proteins and minerals that build oyster shells. But one of the least expected discoveries from the project was the complicated biology of shell formation. Of the 259 proteins found to play a structural role in oyster shells, 84 percent were not excreted proteins. How could the shell be excreted if its proteins were not excreted?
In oyster shell construction, 61 proteins appear to be deposited in "budded vesicles"—special membrane-surrounded, protein-containing portions—at the shell-forming interface. The other proteins are products of oyster cell biochemical pathways. The whole scenario of shell-forming looks like a very complicated biological process.
Not only does all of this unexpected biological and genetic complexity stand at odds with evolutionary origins, but it also conflicts with deep evolutionary time scales. Mollusks are at the bottom of the rock column. Fossil authority Donald Prothero once wrote, "All the major classes of mollusks (except scaphopods) [tusk shells] were established in the Cambrian."2
Prothero also wrote, "About 8,000 to 15,000 living [mollusk] species are known, but many more are known from the fossil record (about [40,000])."3 Since there are fewer mollusks today than in the past, it appears that they have not been evolving at all, but simply going extinct.
Both the genetics and the fossils agree with the Bible. Mollusks were expertly formed from the beginning and have not evolved since.
References
Zhang, G. et al. 2012. The oyster genome reveals stress adaptation and complexity of shell formation. Nature. 490 (7418): 49-54. Prothero, D. 2004. Bringing Fossils to Life. New York: McGraw-Hill, 282. Prothero, 285. * Dr. Tomkins is Research Associate at the Institute for Creation Research and received his Ph.D. in Genetics from Clemson University, and Mr. Thomas is Science Writer at the Institute for Creation Research.
Article posted on October 22, 2012.
Image from the article.
Yum. Oysters.
Interesting. Equally mystifying: why have tabby cats thrived while flightless birds have fallen prey to cats and disappeared? Why have people with shotguns thrived while carrier pigeons have disappeared? Oh, the mystery!
I believe the universe was created with the appearance of age, just as no-one supposes Adam was created as a baby, much less a blastocyst.
As if the very real appearances were history, however, Mollusks appear at the “bottom of the rock pile” because any creature created “before” the creation of shells or skeletons fails to preserve its shell or skeleton; Highly contrary to the suppositions of this article, life appears to have been created more than a billion years before the first Mollusks.
From appearances, about 540 million years ago, Calcium levels began to surge. The need to excrete Calcium resulted in the development of shells, then exoskeletons. When Calcium levels declined again (due to shell deposition), internal skeletons provided a means of storing, then reclaiming calcium deposits.
Mollusks at the “old” fossil levels are biologically substantially simpler than later mollusks, since later mollusks had to do a much finer job of calcium regulation.
Char-grilled oysters from Drago's in N.O.
Try to eat just a dozen.
Lucky for them they did too.
Evolution, being real smart, gave oysters shells cause they're real hard to pick up an eat without a shell. But all that slime isn't snot or anything cause oysters don't have noses. And besides the Gourmet would get lemon juice all over his fingers.
Also evolution gave the oyster a break by not having eyes cause that lemon juice would really burn and the little guys would see where they're going when the Gourmet swallows one.
But evolution isn't perfect ona account of some little pieces of shell end up in the canned oysters and when one little piece hits the Gourmet’s fillings....whoa baby!
and that's the way is.
That’s a scallop shell...........
Well, that was just mean! ;-)
First of all, they’re worth the trip. Secondly, Drago’s is only 30 minutes from where I live.
They look good, but a 1700 mile drive?
Lots of folks are worried over how they’ll pay the rent.
Some folks are annoyed because they can’t lay up a cent.
Others are perplexed about the latest picture show.
But there is really only just one thing that I’d like to know.
What kind of a noise annoys an oyster?
No matter what I do
The answer won’t come through.
What kind of a noise annoys an oyster?
That’s a question I would like an answer to.
A little piece of cheese annoys a mouse, there is no doubt.
But here’s the one thing I’ve been trying hard to figure out:
What kind of a noise annoys an oyster
When an oyster’s in a stew?
What kind of a noise annoys an oyster?
I asked them at the zoo.
They said they wish they knew.
What kind of a noise annoys an oyster?
That’s a question I would like an answer to.
A piece of cheese annoys a mouse
The mouse annoys in turn
The cat who then annoys the dog
But still I cannot learn
What kind of a noise annoys an oyster
When an oyster’s in a stew.
Oysters live a life within a very narrow scope.
One thing I’ve found out is that an oyster don’t like soap.
I’ll admit the problem’s been a sticker from the go.
I’ve asked most everyone I’ve met, and no one seems to know
What kind of a noise annoys an oyster.
I’ve figured till I’m blue,
So now I’m asking you.
What kind of a noise annoys an oyster?
That’s a question I would like an answer to.
The piece of cheese annoys the mouse
The mouse annoys the cat
The cat annoys the dog
The dog annoys your Sunday hat.
But, what kind of a noise annoys an oyster
When an oyster’s in a stew.
What kind of a noise annoys an oyster?
I’ve asked each one I knew
From here to Kalamazoo.
What kind of a noise annoys an oyster?
That’s a question I would like an answer to.
Now, simple things annoy a lot of simple folks, you see.
And that’s most likely why this question is annoying me.
But, What kind of a noise annoys an oyster
When an oyster’s in a stew?
WHAT KIND OF A NOISE ANNOYS AN OYSTER?
by Crumit & Curtis
as sung by Frank Crumit.
If you ever do make it to Drago's, try their stuffed softshell crab ... unbelievable!
Besh done gud!
I first tried them during the "We live to eat week" hosted by the LA State Seafood folk. I chose Drago's due to these very beasties... and was sooooooooooo happy, I went back three more times before leaving the area. Bless John Besh!
I made some on my Weber this very evening, from some super-salty "Stump Sound 'austers!" I cheated though. I used" Johnny's garlic spread", panco crumbs, and butter.
Mmmmmmmmmmm...
If any other readers are ever in NOLA, be sure and visit the Hilton on the riverfront! Dragos rocks!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.