Finally have I gotten a hint of comprehension of my last eight months in biology. Dawkins narrates genes it's reproduction and basically my tenth grade curriculum in an interesting and bizarre way. Chapter three states Darwin's obvious idea of evolution: fighting for survival. Dawkins adds that at a fundamental view it is all the same, the same fundamental chemistry. The only difference is how every gene develops differently to suit the need of the creature.
Referring back to the title, grateful I am to have read this book ( even more when finals are coming up). What many scientists describe as a double helix, Dawkins calls it an "immortal coil" (PG.22). The word double helix works as a visual aid, well the shape of DNA is exactly that. But the reference to an immortal coil gives the reader a better understanding of the usage and functioning of DNA. It is ever lasting, there is no way one can destroy or embed this helixes through human power.
Nucleotides are said to be te building blocks by Dawkins. A, T, C, and G are no longer sodium-phosphate letters which I had no comprehension about whatsoever. Now they turned into the building blocks that hold together the immortal coil (PG.23). I begin to doubt the science teaching method, if it was only more visual and less theoretical. I understand it is impossible tu visualize an atom, even less DNA but with simple relations like this everything becomes easier to understand.
Relating to the whale story and the spindle cell we saw in class, Dawkins talks about how animals are taught. They have learned not to eat colored butterflies because of their toxins. They do not know that eating that butterfly will cause them death, because they looked into their eyes and felt the warning from the butterflies.
Mimicry: The close external resemblance of an animal or plant (or part of one) to another.
I can only conclude that this book is helping me succeed in biology.
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