Latest News Archive
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News Items
2019-05-31 |
The Future Is Here: Download the KovsieApp |
2019-05-31 |
The Future Is Here: Download the KovsieApp |
2019-05-30 |
#AfricaDay Memorial Lecture: African identity rooted in Ubuntu |
2019-05-30 |
#AfricaDay Memorial Lecture: African identity rooted in Ubuntu |
2019-05-30 |
Housing and Residence Affairs promotes quality accommodation for students |
2019-05-30 |
Housing and Residence Affairs promotes quality accommodation for students |
2019-05-29 |
Prof Francis Petersen addresses the National Press Club |
2019-05-29 |
Prof Francis Petersen addresses the National Press Club |
2019-05-29 |
Three Kovsies off to Netball World Cup |
2019-05-29 |
Three Kovsies off to Netball World Cup |
2019-05-29 |
Epistemic justice is crucial for a sustainable democratic future |
2019-05-29 |
Epistemic justice is crucial for a sustainable democratic future |
2019-05-29 |
‘Courts must embrace 4IR’, says Judge President Musi |
2019-05-29 |
‘Courts must embrace 4IR’, says Judge President Musi |
2019-05-28 |
Steady on the stress: Tips for fighting exam anxiety |
2019-05-28 |
Steady on the stress: Tips for fighting exam anxiety |
2019-05-28 |
Students pay it forward with meals this Africa Month |
2019-05-28 |
Students pay it forward with meals this Africa Month |
2019-05-28 |
Kovsie’s Siphila Dlamini leads 15th Southern Africa Scout Youth Forum |
2019-05-28 |
Kovsie’s Siphila Dlamini leads 15th Southern Africa Scout Youth Forum |
2019-05-28 |
Reflecting on the past, present, and future of Africa |
2019-05-28 |
Reflecting on the past, present, and future of Africa |
2019-05-27 |
Communique from the Rector and Vice-Chancellor to the University Community |
2019-05-27 |
Communique from the Rector and Vice-Chancellor to the University Community |
2019-05-24 |
Investigative journalism at the forefront at #GangsterState discussion |
2019-05-24 |
Investigative journalism at the forefront at #GangsterState discussion |
2019-06-03 |
2019 June graduations to honour master’s and doctoral degrees |
2019-06-03 |
2019 June graduations to honour master’s and doctoral degrees |
2019-05-21 |
UFS struts academic excellence at 2019 Open Day |
2019-05-21 |
UFS struts academic excellence at 2019 Open Day |
2019-05-21 |
Graduates told to uphold honourable character |
2019-05-21 |
Graduates told to uphold honourable character |
2019-05-21 |
Digital Storytelling Lab: Where stories and technology meet |
2019-05-21 |
Digital Storytelling Lab: Where stories and technology meet |
2019-05-17 |
Agribusiness Transformation Programme, empowering black emerging farmers |
2019-05-17 |
Agribusiness Transformation Programme, empowering black emerging farmers |
2019-05-14 |
Qwaqwa Campus is ready for graduations |
2019-05-14 |
Qwaqwa Campus is ready for graduations |
2019-05-13 |
Absa supports UFS students through to graduation |
2019-05-13 |
Absa supports UFS students through to graduation |
2019-05-13 |
Global body re-affirms UFS lab’s vaccine testing status |
2019-05-13 |
Global body re-affirms UFS lab’s vaccine testing status |
2019-05-13 |
Your future is here; this is the place to be, future Kovsies are told |
2019-05-13 |
Your future is here; this is the place to be, future Kovsies are told |
2019-05-09 |
More success for netballers in different competition? |
2019-05-09 |
More success for netballers in different competition? |
2019-05-07 |
UFS prioritises student well-being through Social Support Unit |
2019-05-07 |
UFS prioritises student well-being through Social Support Unit |
2019-05-07 |
Crime dialogue elicits commitment to ensure tighter security |
2019-05-07 |
Crime dialogue elicits commitment to ensure tighter security |
2019-05-06 |
Africa Month to unpack pressing topics following elections |
2019-05-06 |
Africa Month to unpack pressing topics following elections |
2019-05-06 |
Kovsie Advice: Exam edition is out |
2019-05-06 |
Kovsie Advice: Exam edition is out |
2019-05-06 |
Mr Nikile Ntsababa appointed as Registrar of the UFS |
2019-05-06 |
Mr Nikile Ntsababa appointed as Registrar of the UFS |
2019-05-06 |
The Youth Vote: Political Patronising Must Fall |
2019-05-06 |
The Youth Vote: Political Patronising Must Fall |
2019-05-03 |
Wheelchair donation allows David to pursue his athletic dream |
2019-05-03 |
Wheelchair donation allows David to pursue his athletic dream |
2019-05-03 |
Long jumper Lynique dreams big |
2019-05-03 |
Long jumper Lynique dreams big |
2019-05-03 |
Hockey coach excited about team’s chances |
2019-05-03 |
Hockey coach excited about team’s chances |
2019-05-02 |
UFS Debate Society win Jozi Rumble again! |
2019-05-02 |
UFS Debate Society win Jozi Rumble again! |
Darwin lecture focuses on the genetic foundation of evolution
2009-05-22
|
The Department of Genetics at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently made their contribution to the story of life and survival by presenting two lectures on The genetic foundation of evolution. Prof. Johan Spies, Head of the Department of Genetics at the UFS discussed the variation that was created by mutations and how this variation was enhanced by re-combination. He also pointed out that these methods contributed relatively little to the gene pool of a species and that the expansion of the gene pool primarily took place by means of chromosome evolution. The latter also contributed to the creation of isolation mechanisms to prevent hybridism. He further emphasised the multitude of deviations of mendelian heredity, which contributed to more variation within a species.
Prof. Paul Grobler, Associate Professor from this department, next pointed out how natural selection played a role to form new species. He used various examples to indicate how the process took its course, for example, lactose intolerance. He also reported out that the man on the street mostly believed that Darwin with his theory of the survival of the fittest meant that the physically strongest species would survive. It was more a case of the one that could reproduce the fastest and the most, that would survive, he stated.
Present at the occasion were, from left front: Ms Letecia Jonker, student, Prof. Grobler, Ms Paula Spies, lecturer at the Department of Genetics and Ms Zurika Odendaal, junior lecturer at the Department of Genetics; back: Prof. Spies.
Photo: Stephen Collett |