Sex and Evolution

Of Sex and Evolution: A Reflection

Sex is a battlefield, are the opening words of Historys 2008 scientific
documentary, Evolve, that couldnt have been more fitting given the short films focus
on sex its evolution and the role it plays in the perpetuation of life on Earth. Indeed,
from a biologists perspective, the purpose of life is to procreate to pass on your
genes to the next generation or else your species will come to a dead-end. The verity
of this statement is evidenced by many living organisms that go through every extreme
to mate, thus ensuring the survival of their lineage. Pondering over the entirety of the
documentary, one can undeniably concede that evolution drives sex and at the same
time, sex drives evolution.
Throughout time, countless biological systems from the simple single-celled
organisms to complex living forms have evolved various mechanisms to maximize
their chances of survival in the planet. Seven hundred million years ago, the first traces
of life appeared in the form of unicellular marine life forms whose strategy of
reproduction is asexualthat is making copies of themselves (duplication) and sending
them off to the environment. In such way, they could multiply relatively quickly with
incredible ease. Asexual species, however, are not as abundant in nature as sexual
species, which require partner of the opposite sex to produce offspring. Essentially, this
strategy is more biologically expensive and less efficient, yet is still much more common
within the animal world. In the documentary, Dan Rinkin, Research Associate in Brown
Universitys Evolutionary Biology Department answered this conundrum: The one
serious flaw with organisms having the same DNA, as in asexual species, is that they
also share the same genetic weak spots. True enough, sexual reproduction
underscores the significance of genetic diversity, in which evolutionary natural selection
acts upon individual genetic traits, not to the entire genetic makeup of an organism.
As primarily featured in the documentary, members of the Animal Kingdom
evolved not only in terms of their mode of reproduction, but more so with their sexual
structures, to keep up with the changing faces of natural selection, hence protecting
their descent from extinction. This scientific claim was largely supported by biologists
whose investigations even trace hundred years back, when the only form of sex at work
Sex and Evolution
was the simple mass spawning of gametes by coral polyps, until the pioneer
development of reproductive organs and internal fertilization, first seen and observed
among sharks. Furthermore, the documentary, at extensive measures, took an in-depth
account on the sex life of one of the biggest literally and figuratively mysteries of
science: the dinosaurs. Supplemented by evidences of numerous fossil records, this
particular subject of evolutionary physiology is widely elaborated in the documentary in
a profoundly scientific manner, by supplying pertinent data of vertebrate paleontologists
ascertaining that dinosaurs did have sex, albeit unbelievable that seems. Yet, no matter
how successful dinosaurs were in finding a way to breed and populate, their heredity
was completely eradicated due to a non-evolutionary incident the strike of an
asteroid onto the Gulf of Mexico which turned the entire planet into a wasteland. Owing
to this, the only organisms believed to survive then earths terrible conditions were the
insects, which were the instigators of the concept of sexual selection.
Through sexual selection, it is ensured that the next generation will acquire the
best genetic traits that will allow them to adapt and survive in their environment, and to
perpetuate their species. Amazingly, insects were the first in the Animal Kingdom to
manifest this sort of behavior. Truth be told, the distinct sexual behavior of insects,
especially exhibited by cockroaches and bees, is the product of an accumulation of
beneficial mutations in their nerve cells over the course of evolution, which propels the
insect to react in instinctual manner when stimulated by certain reproductive sensations.
Detailed accounts of different types of insects sexual behavior are tackled in the
documentary, with matching proofs and explication as to why they perform such sexual
rituals when mating. Conversely, the short film also contrasted the sexual behavior
among mammals, with their relatively higher order mental skills, which scientists deem
to govern both biological instinct and learned manners and habit, in terms of their sexual
behavior. Without a doubt, sexual behavior, ranging from basic reproductive means to
outrageous sexual practices among myriad of animals, is a key factor in creating a
generation consisting of best-fit species for survival.
Indeed, the evolution of sex through the course of history is an arduous matter to
discuss. Watching a forty-five minute scientific documentary may not be that adequate
Sex and Evolution
to answer all the lurking questions in the back of ones mind, yet, it is already sufficient
to cover the salient points on how essential sexual reproduction is in the survival of
many species, which, in turn, facilitate the evolution of next generation of organisms on
Earth. And as nature has long established since the beginning of time, evolution is of
utmost importance to continue the life in this dynamic planet. Like what the
documentary firmly stands, Without sex, a species is history.