Ecological Developmental Biology

摘要: Ecological developmental biology is the science that studies interactions between developing organisms and their environmental contexts. It development in ‘real world’ of predators, competitors, symbionts, toxic compounds, temperature changes nutritional differences. The environment plays a substantial role development, many instances, normal cannot occur without signalling. Symbionts, for instance are needed particular organs. Environmental agents can elicit epigenetic gene expression change an organism's phenotype. In however, substances act detrimentally, causing birth defects predisposing organism to diseases adulthood. Epigenetics has recently provided startling insights into how experienced during embryonic predispose one cancer, obesity, hypertension diabetes later life. Key Concepts The critical roles development. The genome encodes repertoire possible phenotypes. Environment often selects which those genes will become active phenotypes expressed. Reaction norms quantitatively respond conditions, such phenotype reflects small differences conditions. Polyphenisms represent ‘either/or’ wherein set conditions elicits phenotype, while another phenotype. Organisms usually develop symbiotic relationships with other organisms; signals from symbionts development. Teratogens (such as ethanol) compounds cause by disrupting development. Endocrine disruptors disrupt changing ways not seen phenotypically years after birth. Ecological proposes new mechanisms through evolution occur. These include epialleles (inherited patterns chromatin alterations giving inherited variants patterns), plasticity-driven adaptation symbiont-mediated variation. Keywords: ecological biology; symbiosis; epigenetics; teratogens; plasticity; evolution