I have a BA from Swarthmore and an MA from U Penn, both in Biology although my specialty was plants. I developed a speculative theory on plant hormones that systematizes them and provides broad overall definitions for when they are synthesized or activated and for what reason. Supervisors: Mark Jacobs and Scott Poethig Phone: 301-500-6973 Address: Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly the situation in Gaza, has been an enduring and co... more The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly the situation in Gaza, has been an enduring and complex issue for decades. While many solutions have been proposed, this proposal explores a financial approach to incentivize peace or voluntary emigration among Palestinians living in Gaza. Drawing inspiration from Ecclesiastes 10:19, which suggests that money can be the answer to everything, the proposal seeks to provide monetary incentives to Palestinians and neighboring Arab countries over a 20-year period, with the hope of establishing long-term peace and stability in the region. Cons of the Proposal 1. Ethical Concerns: Offering financial incentives might be perceived as coercion, pressuring Palestinians into leaving their homes for economic reasons.
Epinasty is a perplexing behavior seen during the flooding of roots of plants. Leaf cells on the... more Epinasty is a perplexing behavior seen during the flooding of roots of plants. Leaf cells on the top part of the leaf and maybe especially the leaf stem outgrow the bottoms ones and the leaf drops from a horizontal to a more vertical position. Epinasty is caused by ethylene that is released by the leaves when the roots are flooded. Flooded roots make ACC, the precursor to ethylene, and this is transported up the xylem stream to the leaf where it is converted to the gas hormone.
This document serves as an addition to the original Plant Senescence Theory, with further explora... more This document serves as an addition to the original Plant Senescence Theory, with further exploration of environmental triggers, comparative studies between annuals and perennials, implications for crop improvement, and the role of climate change.
For annual plants, yearly senescence can be explained as a way of increasing the number of progen... more For annual plants, yearly senescence can be explained as a way of increasing the number of progeny surviving to reproductive age and/or a way of increasing the amount of turnover and thus the rate of evolution. The first explanation is probably more important than the second. Higher numbers of viable progeny are produced by a redistribution of nutrients from the plant to the seed during senescence and several less important reasons. On the level of plant physiology, with many or all species, evidence and theory point to senescence as a two step process. The first step involves only a breakdown of RUBISCO protein and the export of resulting amino acids to the seeds. The second phase is a general breakdown of the cells. On the level of the cell, general cell breakdown is possibly produced by a decline in Calmodulin activity, caused by a decline in polyamine levels, which is in turn caused by a decline in IAA and Cytokinin in the senescing cells.
This paper explores epinasty, a physiological response seen in plants when leaves bend downwards,... more This paper explores epinasty, a physiological response seen in plants when leaves bend downwards, as a response to water-related stressors. We delve into three primary circumstances of epinasty: ethylene production during flooding, salicylic acid involvement in prolonged water stress, and abscisic acid activation during desiccation. Additionally, we propose a mechanical hypothesis that considers leaves as levers in a potential water-pumping mechanism. This article synthesizes hormonal and mechanical perspectives on epinasty to offer a comprehensive understanding of this important plant response.
This paper proposes a model where sex chromosomes serve as a testing ground for new genes before ... more This paper proposes a model where sex chromosomes serve as a testing ground for new genes before they are integrated into the general population. New genes are initially tested on one copy of the X chromosome, only expressed in males. Over successive generations, the gene may move to the Y chromosome and eventually spread to both X chromosomes. This dynamic allows for careful genetic experimentation while minimizing the potential harm of unsuccessful gene expression. A mathematical framework captures this progression, ensuring that gene expression never exceeds the total population.
This paper presents a mathematical model for speciation through hybridization, emphasizing the ro... more This paper presents a mathematical model for speciation through hybridization, emphasizing the role of rapid environmental changes in dramatically increasing the likelihood of hybridization between genetically distinct populations. Contrary to gradual models of speciation, we propose that during times of significant environmental stress, such as those accompanying transitions into new geological ages, hybridization rates may increase exponentially, potentially giving rise to entirely new species or taxonomic groups. The model is illustrated with examples, such as the recent hybridization between polar and grizzly bears, producing hybrid offspring known as pizzlies or grolars.
This speculative exploration draws parallels between particle physics, String Theory, and Christi... more This speculative exploration draws parallels between particle physics, String Theory, and Christian theology, proposing that fundamental particles and forces in the universe can represent spiritual truths found in Christianity. Concepts such as the Chromodynamic Theory of Quarks are aligned with the Holy Trinity, while the relationship between electrons and positrons reflects the division between God’s angels and Lucifer’s fallen ones. The theory extends into String Theory, suggesting 16 dimensions that correspond to the spiritual realities described in Christ's parable of the four seeds, where only true Christians escape the decay of entropy. Additionally, the paper proposes that photons represent the neutral Word of God, and the clash between the 'brane of God and the 'brane of Lucifer 9 billion years ago marked the introduction of entropy and dark energy. By examining the intersection of these scientific and spiritual frameworks, the paper offers a deeper understanding of how the physical and spiritual worlds may be interconnected.
This paper explores the intersection of biblical teachings and modern evolutionary biology by exa... more This paper explores the intersection of biblical teachings and modern evolutionary biology by examining how traits like cooperation, mutualism, and altruism—what we refer to as sweetness—play a dominant role in long-term survival. Traditional evolutionary mechanisms such as fitness, genetic drift, and founder effects are acknowledged but are shown to be subordinate to the principle of sweetness, which reflects an organism’s contribution to the well-being of the ecosystem. By drawing on Jesus Christ's teachings, such as 'the first will be last, and the last will be first' (Matthew 19:30, NIV), this study suggests that traits often considered 'weak' or 'unfit' can thrive in the long run due to their cooperative relationships within ecosystems. Furthermore, beauty—measured by factors such as symmetry and attractiveness—is discussed as a potential indicator of health and ecological interconnectedness, but with the caution that beauty can be deceptive, masking parasitic behaviors. However, the focus remains on the survival of the sweetest idea as the driving force behind long-term evolutionary success.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly the situation in Gaza, has been an enduring and co... more The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly the situation in Gaza, has been an enduring and complex issue for decades. While many solutions have been proposed, this proposal explores a financial approach to incentivize peace or voluntary emigration among Palestinians living in Gaza. Drawing inspiration from Ecclesiastes 10:19, which suggests that money can be the answer to everything, the proposal seeks to provide monetary incentives to Palestinians and neighboring Arab countries over a 20-year period, with the hope of establishing long-term peace and stability in the region. Cons of the Proposal 1. Ethical Concerns: Offering financial incentives might be perceived as coercion, pressuring Palestinians into leaving their homes for economic reasons.
Epinasty is a perplexing behavior seen during the flooding of roots of plants. Leaf cells on the... more Epinasty is a perplexing behavior seen during the flooding of roots of plants. Leaf cells on the top part of the leaf and maybe especially the leaf stem outgrow the bottoms ones and the leaf drops from a horizontal to a more vertical position. Epinasty is caused by ethylene that is released by the leaves when the roots are flooded. Flooded roots make ACC, the precursor to ethylene, and this is transported up the xylem stream to the leaf where it is converted to the gas hormone.
This document serves as an addition to the original Plant Senescence Theory, with further explora... more This document serves as an addition to the original Plant Senescence Theory, with further exploration of environmental triggers, comparative studies between annuals and perennials, implications for crop improvement, and the role of climate change.
For annual plants, yearly senescence can be explained as a way of increasing the number of progen... more For annual plants, yearly senescence can be explained as a way of increasing the number of progeny surviving to reproductive age and/or a way of increasing the amount of turnover and thus the rate of evolution. The first explanation is probably more important than the second. Higher numbers of viable progeny are produced by a redistribution of nutrients from the plant to the seed during senescence and several less important reasons. On the level of plant physiology, with many or all species, evidence and theory point to senescence as a two step process. The first step involves only a breakdown of RUBISCO protein and the export of resulting amino acids to the seeds. The second phase is a general breakdown of the cells. On the level of the cell, general cell breakdown is possibly produced by a decline in Calmodulin activity, caused by a decline in polyamine levels, which is in turn caused by a decline in IAA and Cytokinin in the senescing cells.
This paper explores epinasty, a physiological response seen in plants when leaves bend downwards,... more This paper explores epinasty, a physiological response seen in plants when leaves bend downwards, as a response to water-related stressors. We delve into three primary circumstances of epinasty: ethylene production during flooding, salicylic acid involvement in prolonged water stress, and abscisic acid activation during desiccation. Additionally, we propose a mechanical hypothesis that considers leaves as levers in a potential water-pumping mechanism. This article synthesizes hormonal and mechanical perspectives on epinasty to offer a comprehensive understanding of this important plant response.
This paper proposes a model where sex chromosomes serve as a testing ground for new genes before ... more This paper proposes a model where sex chromosomes serve as a testing ground for new genes before they are integrated into the general population. New genes are initially tested on one copy of the X chromosome, only expressed in males. Over successive generations, the gene may move to the Y chromosome and eventually spread to both X chromosomes. This dynamic allows for careful genetic experimentation while minimizing the potential harm of unsuccessful gene expression. A mathematical framework captures this progression, ensuring that gene expression never exceeds the total population.
This paper presents a mathematical model for speciation through hybridization, emphasizing the ro... more This paper presents a mathematical model for speciation through hybridization, emphasizing the role of rapid environmental changes in dramatically increasing the likelihood of hybridization between genetically distinct populations. Contrary to gradual models of speciation, we propose that during times of significant environmental stress, such as those accompanying transitions into new geological ages, hybridization rates may increase exponentially, potentially giving rise to entirely new species or taxonomic groups. The model is illustrated with examples, such as the recent hybridization between polar and grizzly bears, producing hybrid offspring known as pizzlies or grolars.
This speculative exploration draws parallels between particle physics, String Theory, and Christi... more This speculative exploration draws parallels between particle physics, String Theory, and Christian theology, proposing that fundamental particles and forces in the universe can represent spiritual truths found in Christianity. Concepts such as the Chromodynamic Theory of Quarks are aligned with the Holy Trinity, while the relationship between electrons and positrons reflects the division between God’s angels and Lucifer’s fallen ones. The theory extends into String Theory, suggesting 16 dimensions that correspond to the spiritual realities described in Christ's parable of the four seeds, where only true Christians escape the decay of entropy. Additionally, the paper proposes that photons represent the neutral Word of God, and the clash between the 'brane of God and the 'brane of Lucifer 9 billion years ago marked the introduction of entropy and dark energy. By examining the intersection of these scientific and spiritual frameworks, the paper offers a deeper understanding of how the physical and spiritual worlds may be interconnected.
This paper explores the intersection of biblical teachings and modern evolutionary biology by exa... more This paper explores the intersection of biblical teachings and modern evolutionary biology by examining how traits like cooperation, mutualism, and altruism—what we refer to as sweetness—play a dominant role in long-term survival. Traditional evolutionary mechanisms such as fitness, genetic drift, and founder effects are acknowledged but are shown to be subordinate to the principle of sweetness, which reflects an organism’s contribution to the well-being of the ecosystem. By drawing on Jesus Christ's teachings, such as 'the first will be last, and the last will be first' (Matthew 19:30, NIV), this study suggests that traits often considered 'weak' or 'unfit' can thrive in the long run due to their cooperative relationships within ecosystems. Furthermore, beauty—measured by factors such as symmetry and attractiveness—is discussed as a potential indicator of health and ecological interconnectedness, but with the caution that beauty can be deceptive, masking parasitic behaviors. However, the focus remains on the survival of the sweetest idea as the driving force behind long-term evolutionary success.
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Papers by Paul D Pruitt