Developmental plasticity

Question 1

What is meant for phenotypic plasticity? What is canalization? Why are they important?

Answer 1

Phenotypic palsticity is the ability of a genotype to produce multiple phenotypes; canalization is the robustness against genetic and environmental perturbations.

With environmental perturbations is meant modest fluctuating asymmetry in bilateral animals due to stress.
Phenotypic plasticity can be seen in seasonal/thermal adaptation, in which the butterfly changes wings pattern, lifespan or reproduction depending on the temperature.

These two processes are important when studying gene x environment interaction:

• adaptation to short-term environmental fluctuations
• evolution and phenotypic plasticity are not mutually exclusive
• canalization and phenotypic plasticity are not mutually exclusive

Question 2

How did evolutionary adaptation and plasticity shape of menarche evolved?

Answer 2

The variation in menarche has many genetic and environmental factors involved:

i. 106 genomic loci
ii. 50% heritability
1. nutrition
2. social-economical situation
3. endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Question 3

What is the role of methylation in Developmental Origins of Health and Disease?

Answer 3

DNA methylation of genes in regulatory regions is responsible for the regulation of gene expression in response to environmental factor:

• INSR
• IGF2
• CPT1A
• LEP

Question 4

What are some theories associated with DOHAD?

Answer 4

1. trhifty genes: selected genes during famine develop survival phenotypes
2. predictive adaptive response: poor developmental conditions may infer fitness cost without benefits