Key:
Introduction: Bm G D A Bm G D A
Bm G
Now there's a science helping us to understand
D
How our cells encode this architectural plan
A
Signalling each other with genetic tools oh (oh yeah)
Bm G
Wow phenotype the interface for mouse and man
D
Genotype the files and the subprograms
A
What then are the switches, circuit boards and boot code?
Bm
Evo-Devo
G
Looking at the logic in the ways that we grow
D
Every gene directed by a signal key code
A
Proteins that can activate, enhance or veto
Bm
Evo-Devo
G
Signals are controlled by other genes that signal
D
Calculating in a network labyrinthal
A
Where the heart and liver and the hands and feet go
Bm G
Signal mapping tells each region what it ought to be yo
D
With circuits so deeply built upon
A
They're older than the Pale-o (The Paleozoic Era baby)
Bm G
In a crucial pathway changes tend to get torpedoed
D
Where they go calamity goes
A
As this cyclopic sheep knows
Bm
See down they cascade like a domino
G
The path that makes us optical
D
Back before we blew up the cambrian like a bomb bomb
A
Now my eye protein can make you see out of your bom bom
Bm
And Hedgehog and its relatives like Indian and Sonic
G
Set up set up in a gradient on segments embryonic
D
Split forebrains and asymmetric parts depend upon it
A
Flipping on genetic switches and logic
Bm
From devo to evo Adult and embryo
G
Mostly don't evolve in the genes of the genome
D
Safer the mutation aimed at regulation
A
Keep the building blocks and swap their activation
Bm
From devo to evo Parts have alter egos
G
Homologs evolved from repeats in the schema
D
Switch a couple bases in the proper places
A
You'll be watching flies grow legs out of their faces oh yeah
A Bm
Evo-Devo
G
Stick around for Modern Synthesis the sequel
D
Only by combining can a new theory grow
A
Evolution and development amigos
Bm
Evo-Devo
G
Signals trigger patterns of complexity so
D
Switching up the switches of a signalling node
A
Gives a modular and simple way to evolve
Bm G
Look at how our spinal segments generate a neat row
D
Built on a molecular clock
A
One cycle, one vertebra (One vertebra one vertebra baby)
Bm G
Speeding up its rate is snakes' developmental cheat code
D
That and where a lizard's feet grow
A
They turn off distal aminos
Bm
Evo-Devo
G
This is how we go from single cells to people
D
Every generation and in life primeval
A
Life in variations endless and beautiful
Bm
From devo to evo Larva to mosquito
G
Patterns are resolved as the signals pro (ceed yo)
D
Map out a gene with a glow tag
A
Kill it with a morpholino(Short oligo morpholi (no baby))
Bm
From devo to evo Voyage of the Beagle
G
Body plans evolve when proteins steer the (genome)
D
In this manner life's beauty grows
A
Aesthetica in vivo
Bm
Evo-Devo