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INTERFIELD THEORIES
Lindley Darden and Nancy Maull
Interfield Theories
• When two fields share interest in explaining
different aspects of the same phenomenon.
• And when the background knowledge
between the two fields already exists.
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Purpose of an Interfield Theory?
• May provide answers to questions which
arise in one field, but cannot be answered
within it alone.
• May focus attention on domain items not
previously considered important.
• May predict new domain items for one or
both fields.
FieldsInterrelations between the area of science.
• Cytology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry
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Fields Consist of The Following
Elements:
1. Central Problem– a domain consisting of items taken to be facts related to that
problem
2. General Explanatory Factors and Goals– Provides expectations as to how the problem is solved.
3. Techniques, Methods, Concepts, Laws
and Theories– Related to the problem and attempt to realize the explanatory
goals.
Elements are also historical
• Any or all of the elements of the field may
have existed separately in science
• BUT, they must be brought together in a
successful way for the field to emerge.
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Search for the Interfield Theory
• Questions arose in each field which could
not be answered using the concepts and
techniques of that field.
Chromosome theory of
Mendelian Heredity
• Genetics was unable to answer the question
Where are the genes
located?
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Relations between Chromosomes
and Genes
Chromosomes
Genes
• Pure individual (remain
distinct, do not join)
• Found in pairs (in diploid
organisms prior to
gametogenesis and after
fertilization)
• The reducing division
results in one-half to
gametes.
• Pure individual (remain
distinct, do not join)
• Found in pairs (in diploid
organisms prior to
gametogenesis and after
fertilization)
• The reducing division
results in one-half to
gametes
Chromosome Theory of
Mendelian Heredity
“The genes are in or on the chromosomes.
The theory solves the theoretical problem as
to the nature of the relations between genes
and chromosomes by introducing the new
idea that the chromosomes are the physical
location of the Medelian genes.”
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Chromosome Theory of
Mendelian Heredity
• Interfield Theory
• Unify the knowledge of heredity
• Explain similar properties of chromosomes
and genes
• Focused on previously neglected items
• Predict new items for the domains of each
field
The Operon Theory and Theory
of Allosteric regulation
• Chromosome theory lead to question:
How did the genetic material act
as a carrier of information in
biological systems?
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Operon Theory and the Allosteric
Regulation
Both theories deal with the control of
gene expression
• Operon theory control of protein levels
• Allosteric regulation control of protein
activity.
Operon Theory
• Biochemist interested in one aspect of the
control of protein levels (quantity of a
protein in a cell), enzyme adaptation or
(enzyme induction).
• Genetic Effect
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Allosteric Regulation
• Biochemistry
• Physical chemistry
Operon theory and Allosteric
regulation
• Operon theory provide links between
genetics and biochemistry
• Allosteric regulation serve as a bridge
between biochemistry and physical
chemistry.
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ALL three cases are examples of
interfield theories:
•Chromosome Theory
•Operon Theory
•Allosteric Regulation
Conclusion
Function of Interfield Theories:
• To solve the theoretical problem which led
to its generation, that is, to introduce a new
idea as to the nature of the relation between
fields.
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Conclusion
• To focus attention on previously neglected
items of the domains of one or both fields
• To predict new items for the domain of one
or both fields
• To generate new lines of research which
may, in turn, lead to another interfield
theory.
Questions
• Since interfield theories bridge together two
fields, why is or why isn’t this important to
the science community?
• What is the importance of background
knowledge in relation to interfield theories?
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