The science, the detail, the search for understanding and explanation, the enthusiasm are amazing and inspiring. Though I don't understand the complexities, you continue to expand my appreciate of evolution and your work.
I have no science background and most of this post went over my head; but I enjoyed reading it anyway. And the poem at the end made it even better for this former teacher in humanities.
“my wife and my daughter have sometimes told me that my essays get too science-y, and that my readers might be put off by this.”
I’m sure that counsel was offered out of love, but there are a range of reasons for posting here on Substack. We all want to be read and appreciated (otherwise we’d just keep a notebook!), but for some of us that is not the highest motive on the priorities list.
Please keep posting the science-y ones; this is the good stuff.
The detail that reframes the whole essay is your answer to how the cells avoid poisoning themselves: they don't detoxify, they defer. The quinone doesn't exist until the last oxidation step happens outside the membrane, in the cuticular organelle and tubules. Which means the beetle never had to evolve tolerance to its own toxin at all. Compartmentalization is doing the job that biochemical resistance would otherwise have to do, and reusing the exact export trick the cuticle already relied on. Elegant that the safety mechanism was pre-invented.
I’m woefully behind on my “pleasure” reading, and this post was my first attempt. I loved every science-y, detailed, “who knew?” bit. I’m looking forward to the backlog waiting for me here, Walter.
Keep writing, I always enjoy reading. Let me assure you, I would never pick up such a vicious looking creature, no matter how small!
The science, the detail, the search for understanding and explanation, the enthusiasm are amazing and inspiring. Though I don't understand the complexities, you continue to expand my appreciate of evolution and your work.
I have no science background and most of this post went over my head; but I enjoyed reading it anyway. And the poem at the end made it even better for this former teacher in humanities.
Walter, Wow! Thanks.
“my wife and my daughter have sometimes told me that my essays get too science-y, and that my readers might be put off by this.”
I’m sure that counsel was offered out of love, but there are a range of reasons for posting here on Substack. We all want to be read and appreciated (otherwise we’d just keep a notebook!), but for some of us that is not the highest motive on the priorities list.
Please keep posting the science-y ones; this is the good stuff.
The detail that reframes the whole essay is your answer to how the cells avoid poisoning themselves: they don't detoxify, they defer. The quinone doesn't exist until the last oxidation step happens outside the membrane, in the cuticular organelle and tubules. Which means the beetle never had to evolve tolerance to its own toxin at all. Compartmentalization is doing the job that biochemical resistance would otherwise have to do, and reusing the exact export trick the cuticle already relied on. Elegant that the safety mechanism was pre-invented.
It is a stunning and almost impossible world we briefly inhabit. Thank you for helping to illuminate it.
I’m woefully behind on my “pleasure” reading, and this post was my first attempt. I loved every science-y, detailed, “who knew?” bit. I’m looking forward to the backlog waiting for me here, Walter.
Also! the poem!
V and E (wife and daughter) are right in this case!! I tried, but whew!!!!!!
But there is such passion and glee in the detail! I loved this one!