Enuf_Alredy, msg 1 writes:
Which evolved first ... b) The drive to reproduce or the ability to reproduce? ... d)DNA or RNA to carry the DNA message to cell parts?
Nuggin, msg 8 writes:
Ability to reproduce is observable in even the simpliest of single cell organisms. And, like appetite, I don't know how we would determine if these things have a "drive" to reproduce. ... Well, RNA is ribonuclaic Acid and DNA is dioxy-ribonuclaic acid. So, I'm pretty sure that RNA is the building block on which DNA expanded.
If we are talking the very first time, this is the first replicator, a specific chemical compound in a soup mixture probably contained and concentrated in spontaneously formed membranes, and this is likely a precursor to RNA (and then DNA). Such a mixture could not be described as having "desire" or "drive" and the chemical reaction would be automatic once the replicating molecule developed and the supply chemicals were available. This is abiogenesis and there is some interesting work being done on just what was available, how it likely came together and what possible first replicators were like.
If we are talking about a {bacterial\yeast\fungii\single} cell {deciding} to reproduce or having {ability} to reproduce, then we are talking about a cell having all the necessary means to reproduce (all the components, energy, favorable environment) and then looking to see if it keeps getting bigger or divides, OR looking to see if cells attempt to divide before having sufficient resources (and die or get stuck half developed): it seems to me that all the bacterial behavior observed is that of cell division whenever opportune (populations doubling in an expotential manner as long as there are sufficient nutrients and favorable environment). This tells me that {ability to reproduce} turns on reproduction. Again, I don't think this could be described as having "desire" or "drive" to reproduce.
Single cell life forms a logical continuum from the membrane enclosed chemical soup first replicators, but the real hurdle in evolution is the development of sex.
When it comes to sexual reproduction, I would say that the "desire" or "drive" is to have sex -- look at the bonobos apes and their sex at the drop of a hat 24/7 behavior -- as most animals engage in more sex than is necessary for reproduction alone (including humans). Usually by the time the organism is mature enough to engage in sex it has the resources for reproduction (exceptions would be during periods of {starvation\malnutrition\desease} that would drain the organism of resources).
Welcome to the fray,
Enjoy.
(We'll see if Enuf_Alredy comes back to take the next steps.)
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