Ch 3: Handy Genes

I liked how Shubin began talking about one thing (mermaid purses), then went on about genes, and then managed to relate it back to the mermaid purses and tie it all together. As he went on to say how scientist are able to manipulate the embryo cells and change things, I wondered if such mutations such as people with wings can occur. When he then talked about how the genes and cells all work together, I was extremely confused. Once he explained further by comparing it to a concerto, I was able to understand the process of "turning on and off" more better. I have to say, I was glad to learn that there are scientific discoveries that have names that are simple to remember and pronounce, like Sonic hedgehog. But the more interesting part about the Sonic hedgehog was what it was capable of doing. It was amazing to read about how all the different cells are able to know where its place is and how it knows by the distance from the ZPA. Through every chapter I read, I learned more about how deep our connections are with other animals and wonder when all our differences happened.