The other side of phenotypic plasticity: a developmental system that generates an invariant phenotype despite environmental variation.

摘要: Understanding how the environment impacts development is of central interest in developmental and evolutionary biology. On one hand, we would like to understand induces phenotypic changes (the study plasticity). other may ask a system maintains stable precise output despite presence environmental variation. We such robustness variation using vulval cell fate patterning nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as system. Here review both mechanistic aspects these studies, focusing on recently obtained experimental results. First, present evidence indicating that formation under stabilizing selection. Second, discusss quantitative data precision variability different environments genetic backgrounds. Third, illustrate modulate cellular molecular processes underlying vulva. Fourth, discuss significance sensitivity this