Darwin-L Message Log 8:81 (April 1994)

Academic Discussion on the History and Theory of the Historical Sciences

This is one message from the Archives of Darwin-L (1993–1997), a professional discussion group on the history and theory of the historical sciences.

Note: Additional publications on evolution and the historical sciences by the Darwin-L list owner are available on SSRN.

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<8:81>From LBUSH%black.DECnet@indiana.edu  Mon Apr 25 15:40:48 1994

Date: Mon, 25 Apr 94 15:40:42 EST
From: LBUSH%black.DECnet@indiana.edu
Subject: Vitamin C
To: darwin-l@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu

Paleoanthropologist Jean Sept alluded to this in lecture a few
weeks ago.  Many primates, guinea pigs and some fruit-eating bats
lack the ability to make their own vitamin C.  Vitamin C is not
stored in the body; an excess intake is simply eliminated.  The
evolutionary advantage, as I understand it, is just a reduction
in the general metabolic load.  In other words, if you're getting
all the vitamin C you need -- and more -- why go to the trouble
of making it all yourself?

--Leslie Bush
lbush@indiana.edu

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