what is the structure of this sentence?
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I cannot grasp the structure of this sentence.
Natural selection will tend to maximize r for the environment in which the species lives, for any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r) will be selected over genotypes contributing fewer of their kind to successive generations. (Birch 1960, p. 10).
(r is rate of increase.)
Is "for" after comma is in parallel with former "for" after "maximize r" or just a conjunction like "because" ?
What is the meaning of "possessing them" here?
Why could "possessing" and "contributing" be appeared in succession ?
What (is the subject of) "will be selected over"?
construction complex-sentences
asked Mar 26 '17 at 7:34
Wat
385
add a comment |
up vote
1
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favorite
I cannot grasp the structure of this sentence.
Natural selection will tend to maximize r for the environment in which the species lives, for any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r) will be selected over genotypes contributing fewer of their kind to successive generations. (Birch 1960, p. 10).
(r is rate of increase.)
Is "for" after comma is in parallel with former "for" after "maximize r" or just a conjunction like "because" ?
What is the meaning of "possessing them" here?
Why could "possessing" and "contributing" be appeared in succession ?
What (is the subject of) "will be selected over"?
construction complex-sentences
asked Mar 26 '17 at 7:34
Wat
385
1
The string in bold looks like a reason adjunct where "for" has the same meaning as "because". I'm not sure if "them" is anaphoric to "the species" or some previously mentioned noun, so "possessing them" means "possessing x". "Genotypes possessing them" is subject of "contributing more individuals ...". The subject of "will be selected over" is "any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)". I think!!
– BillJ
Mar 26 '17 at 8:43
1
@Bill - Academic writing is often hard to understand on first reading and may well be intended that way. Building on Bill's good job, I read "possessing them" to refer to "any mutation or gene combination." The genotypes possessing mutations contributing more to the next generation "will be selected." In the original version, "any mutation or gene combination" is the subject of "will be selected."
– Yosef Baskin
Mar 28 '17 at 19:28
The second "for" is comparable to because. The sentence becomes difficult because "contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)" is parenthetical and should be enclosed in commas.
– Zan700
51 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
I cannot grasp the structure of this sentence.
Natural selection will tend to maximize r for the environment in which the species lives, for any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r) will be selected over genotypes contributing fewer of their kind to successive generations. (Birch 1960, p. 10).
(r is rate of increase.)
Is "for" after comma is in parallel with former "for" after "maximize r" or just a conjunction like "because" ?
What is the meaning of "possessing them" here?
Why could "possessing" and "contributing" be appeared in succession ?
What (is the subject of) "will be selected over"?
construction complex-sentences
asked Mar 26 '17 at 7:34
Wat
385
I cannot grasp the structure of this sentence.
Natural selection will tend to maximize r for the environment in which the species lives, for any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r) will be selected over genotypes contributing fewer of their kind to successive generations. (Birch 1960, p. 10).
(r is rate of increase.)
Is "for" after comma is in parallel with former "for" after "maximize r" or just a conjunction like "because" ?
What is the meaning of "possessing them" here?
Why could "possessing" and "contributing" be appeared in succession ?
What (is the subject of) "will be selected over"?
construction complex-sentences
construction complex-sentences
asked Mar 26 '17 at 7:34
Wat
385
asked Mar 26 '17 at 7:34
Wat
385
asked Mar 26 '17 at 7:34
Wat
385
asked Mar 26 '17 at 7:34
Wat
385
asked Mar 26 '17 at 7:34
Wat
385
385
1
The string in bold looks like a reason adjunct where "for" has the same meaning as "because". I'm not sure if "them" is anaphoric to "the species" or some previously mentioned noun, so "possessing them" means "possessing x". "Genotypes possessing them" is subject of "contributing more individuals ...". The subject of "will be selected over" is "any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)". I think!!
– BillJ
Mar 26 '17 at 8:43
1
@Bill - Academic writing is often hard to understand on first reading and may well be intended that way. Building on Bill's good job, I read "possessing them" to refer to "any mutation or gene combination." The genotypes possessing mutations contributing more to the next generation "will be selected." In the original version, "any mutation or gene combination" is the subject of "will be selected."
– Yosef Baskin
Mar 28 '17 at 19:28
The second "for" is comparable to because. The sentence becomes difficult because "contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)" is parenthetical and should be enclosed in commas.
– Zan700
51 mins ago
add a comment |
1
The string in bold looks like a reason adjunct where "for" has the same meaning as "because". I'm not sure if "them" is anaphoric to "the species" or some previously mentioned noun, so "possessing them" means "possessing x". "Genotypes possessing them" is subject of "contributing more individuals ...". The subject of "will be selected over" is "any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)". I think!!
– BillJ
Mar 26 '17 at 8:43
1
@Bill - Academic writing is often hard to understand on first reading and may well be intended that way. Building on Bill's good job, I read "possessing them" to refer to "any mutation or gene combination." The genotypes possessing mutations contributing more to the next generation "will be selected." In the original version, "any mutation or gene combination" is the subject of "will be selected."
– Yosef Baskin
Mar 28 '17 at 19:28
The second "for" is comparable to because. The sentence becomes difficult because "contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)" is parenthetical and should be enclosed in commas.
– Zan700
51 mins ago
1
1
The string in bold looks like a reason adjunct where "for" has the same meaning as "because". I'm not sure if "them" is anaphoric to "the species" or some previously mentioned noun, so "possessing them" means "possessing x". "Genotypes possessing them" is subject of "contributing more individuals ...". The subject of "will be selected over" is "any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)". I think!!
– BillJ
Mar 26 '17 at 8:43
The string in bold looks like a reason adjunct where "for" has the same meaning as "because". I'm not sure if "them" is anaphoric to "the species" or some previously mentioned noun, so "possessing them" means "possessing x". "Genotypes possessing them" is subject of "contributing more individuals ...". The subject of "will be selected over" is "any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)". I think!!
– BillJ
Mar 26 '17 at 8:43
1
1
@Bill - Academic writing is often hard to understand on first reading and may well be intended that way. Building on Bill's good job, I read "possessing them" to refer to "any mutation or gene combination." The genotypes possessing mutations contributing more to the next generation "will be selected." In the original version, "any mutation or gene combination" is the subject of "will be selected."
– Yosef Baskin
Mar 28 '17 at 19:28
@Bill - Academic writing is often hard to understand on first reading and may well be intended that way. Building on Bill's good job, I read "possessing them" to refer to "any mutation or gene combination." The genotypes possessing mutations contributing more to the next generation "will be selected." In the original version, "any mutation or gene combination" is the subject of "will be selected."
– Yosef Baskin
Mar 28 '17 at 19:28
The second "for" is comparable to because. The sentence becomes difficult because "contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)" is parenthetical and should be enclosed in commas.
– Zan700
51 mins ago
The second "for" is comparable to because. The sentence becomes difficult because "contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)" is parenthetical and should be enclosed in commas.
– Zan700
51 mins ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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- No, "for" means 'for the following reason, because' in this sentence.
- The expression "possessing them" is a reduced relative clause modifying "genotypes". The pronoun "them" refers to "mutation or gene combination". It means 'those genotypes (~set of all genes) that posesses a particular mutation or gene combination (~a particular gene)'.
- The verb "possessing" modifies "genotypes", as described under 2. The verb "contributing" complements "chances of". The quote would be easier to understand if it read, "increase the chance of genotypes possessing them to contribute more individuals". The subject of "contributing" is "genotypes possessing them." The functions of "possessing" and "contributing" are completely different. Hence there is nothing that would prevent the two items from co-occurring in succession.
- The subject of "will be selected over" is "any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)", or, simplified, "any mutation or gene combination [...] will be selected over".
The quote can be paraphrased as follows:
The reason is as follows (for):
There are mutations or gene combinations.
Certain genotypes may possess such mutations or gene combinations (genotypes possessing them).
Such genotypes may have a higher chance of contributing individuals to the next generation (chances of ... contributing individuals).
Hence, these mutations or gene combinations are selected.
answered 1 hour ago
Richard Z
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
- No, "for" means 'for the following reason, because' in this sentence.
- The expression "possessing them" is a reduced relative clause modifying "genotypes". The pronoun "them" refers to "mutation or gene combination". It means 'those genotypes (~set of all genes) that posesses a particular mutation or gene combination (~a particular gene)'.
- The verb "possessing" modifies "genotypes", as described under 2. The verb "contributing" complements "chances of". The quote would be easier to understand if it read, "increase the chance of genotypes possessing them to contribute more individuals". The subject of "contributing" is "genotypes possessing them." The functions of "possessing" and "contributing" are completely different. Hence there is nothing that would prevent the two items from co-occurring in succession.
- The subject of "will be selected over" is "any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)", or, simplified, "any mutation or gene combination [...] will be selected over".
The quote can be paraphrased as follows:
The reason is as follows (for):
There are mutations or gene combinations.
Certain genotypes may possess such mutations or gene combinations (genotypes possessing them).
Such genotypes may have a higher chance of contributing individuals to the next generation (chances of ... contributing individuals).
Hence, these mutations or gene combinations are selected.
answered 1 hour ago
Richard Z
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
- No, "for" means 'for the following reason, because' in this sentence.
- The expression "possessing them" is a reduced relative clause modifying "genotypes". The pronoun "them" refers to "mutation or gene combination". It means 'those genotypes (~set of all genes) that posesses a particular mutation or gene combination (~a particular gene)'.
- The verb "possessing" modifies "genotypes", as described under 2. The verb "contributing" complements "chances of". The quote would be easier to understand if it read, "increase the chance of genotypes possessing them to contribute more individuals". The subject of "contributing" is "genotypes possessing them." The functions of "possessing" and "contributing" are completely different. Hence there is nothing that would prevent the two items from co-occurring in succession.
- The subject of "will be selected over" is "any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)", or, simplified, "any mutation or gene combination [...] will be selected over".
The quote can be paraphrased as follows:
The reason is as follows (for):
There are mutations or gene combinations.
Certain genotypes may possess such mutations or gene combinations (genotypes possessing them).
Such genotypes may have a higher chance of contributing individuals to the next generation (chances of ... contributing individuals).
Hence, these mutations or gene combinations are selected.
answered 1 hour ago
Richard Z
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
- No, "for" means 'for the following reason, because' in this sentence.
- The expression "possessing them" is a reduced relative clause modifying "genotypes". The pronoun "them" refers to "mutation or gene combination". It means 'those genotypes (~set of all genes) that posesses a particular mutation or gene combination (~a particular gene)'.
- The verb "possessing" modifies "genotypes", as described under 2. The verb "contributing" complements "chances of". The quote would be easier to understand if it read, "increase the chance of genotypes possessing them to contribute more individuals". The subject of "contributing" is "genotypes possessing them." The functions of "possessing" and "contributing" are completely different. Hence there is nothing that would prevent the two items from co-occurring in succession.
- The subject of "will be selected over" is "any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)", or, simplified, "any mutation or gene combination [...] will be selected over".
The quote can be paraphrased as follows:
The reason is as follows (for):
There are mutations or gene combinations.
Certain genotypes may possess such mutations or gene combinations (genotypes possessing them).
Such genotypes may have a higher chance of contributing individuals to the next generation (chances of ... contributing individuals).
Hence, these mutations or gene combinations are selected.
answered 1 hour ago
Richard Z
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
- No, "for" means 'for the following reason, because' in this sentence.
- The expression "possessing them" is a reduced relative clause modifying "genotypes". The pronoun "them" refers to "mutation or gene combination". It means 'those genotypes (~set of all genes) that posesses a particular mutation or gene combination (~a particular gene)'.
- The verb "possessing" modifies "genotypes", as described under 2. The verb "contributing" complements "chances of". The quote would be easier to understand if it read, "increase the chance of genotypes possessing them to contribute more individuals". The subject of "contributing" is "genotypes possessing them." The functions of "possessing" and "contributing" are completely different. Hence there is nothing that would prevent the two items from co-occurring in succession.
- The subject of "will be selected over" is "any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)", or, simplified, "any mutation or gene combination [...] will be selected over".
The quote can be paraphrased as follows:
The reason is as follows (for):
There are mutations or gene combinations.
Certain genotypes may possess such mutations or gene combinations (genotypes possessing them).
Such genotypes may have a higher chance of contributing individuals to the next generation (chances of ... contributing individuals).
Hence, these mutations or gene combinations are selected.
answered 1 hour ago
Richard Z
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
Richard Z
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
Richard Z
665
answered 1 hour ago
Richard Z
665
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
The string in bold looks like a reason adjunct where "for" has the same meaning as "because". I'm not sure if "them" is anaphoric to "the species" or some previously mentioned noun, so "possessing them" means "possessing x". "Genotypes possessing them" is subject of "contributing more individuals ...". The subject of "will be selected over" is "any mutation or gene combination which increases the chance of genotypes possessing them contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)". I think!!
– BillJ
Mar 26 '17 at 8:43
1
@Bill - Academic writing is often hard to understand on first reading and may well be intended that way. Building on Bill's good job, I read "possessing them" to refer to "any mutation or gene combination." The genotypes possessing mutations contributing more to the next generation "will be selected." In the original version, "any mutation or gene combination" is the subject of "will be selected."
– Yosef Baskin
Mar 28 '17 at 19:28
The second "for" is comparable to because. The sentence becomes difficult because "contributing more individuals to the next generation (that is, of increasing r)" is parenthetical and should be enclosed in commas.
– Zan700
51 mins ago