Developmental Plasticity and Diabetes Risk

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of segmentation genes in body development?

They are responsible for color variation in phenotypes.

They determine the genetic makeup of an organism.

They determine how the body is divided into segments. (correct)

They regulate the expression of organ-specific genes.

How do Hox genes influence the body plan of an organism?

They control the overall shape of the body.

They influence external features like skin color and fur texture.

They determine the development of organs and tissues within each segment. (correct)

They regulate the growth of appendages.

Which concept explains the shared genetic features across various animal species?

Phenotypic variation

Modularity

Diversity

Unity (correct)

What is the role of modularity in genetic functions?

To build the morphological aspects of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the concept of diversity in genetics?

It explains why different species with similar genes exhibit phenotypic differences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason the eye color in certain populations is prevalent according to genetic drift?

It arises by chance due to the genetic drift. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does the rebranding of Sociobiology to Evolutionary Psychology emphasize?

The significant role of development. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an evolutionary spandrel?

The bellybutton. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Orchid and the Dandelion Hypothesis suggest about human environments?

Both stressful and supportive environments shape human experience. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true according to the research on stress reactivity in adults who faced childhood stress?

Stressful environments can lead to heightened stress responses in adults. Signup and view all the answers

How do developmental systems respond to stressful environments according to the hypothesis discussed?

They respond with strategies adaptive under stressful conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about individuals raised in supportive environments?

They generally have less reactive stress disorders. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the nature of eye color variations in migrated populations?

They occur primarily due to genetic drift. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of developmental adaptations in humans?

Changes during development that enhance survival and reproduction Signup and view all the answers

Which statement most accurately describes the relationship between evolutionary fitness and health?

Evolutionary fitness measures reproductive success, not individual health. Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of the developmental contract model?

Improving immediate survival while risking future survival. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies an immediate adaptive response?

Acquiring wider hips during development for better balance. Signup and view all the answers

What do offspring exposed to famine risk developing, according to the findings?

Higher risk of type 2 diabetes and slower metabolism. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it challenging to classify traits as adaptations in humans?

Determining reproductive success and gene transmission is complex. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these factors is not used to define evolutionary fitness?

Health of offspring Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential long-term consequence of making immediate adaptive responses during development?

Reduced chances of surviving in the future. Signup and view all the answers

What is described by the Predictive Adaptive Response Hypothesis?

It argues that developmental cues influence conditions experienced in adulthood. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is significant in the development of an offspring's phenotype according to predictive models?

The mother's biology and environmental cues. Signup and view all the answers

How does homeostasis differ from allostasis?

Allostasis considers changing environmental conditions, unlike homeostasis. Signup and view all the answers

What do the terms 'anticipatory responses' and 'predictive adaptive responses' refer to?

Adaptive mechanisms that prepare individuals for specific adult environments based on cues. Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation of the homeostasis model?

It fails to address the need for adaptation to variable environments. Signup and view all the answers

What influences the adaptive response of an organism according to predictive models?

The type of environmental challenge, timing, and duration of stress. Signup and view all the answers

What role do maternal nutrients and hormones play in the development of offspring?

They provide critical environmental cues for developmental adjustments. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of homeostatic mechanisms?

They maintain physiological variables at a set point. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of pluripotent cells?

To develop into various specialized cells Signup and view all the answers

What regulates cellular differentiation in cells?

Accumulation of lineage-specific epigenetic marks Signup and view all the answers

During mitosis, what happens to epigenetic patterns?

They are conserved and can be inherited Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about genomic imprinting is correct?

One allele expression depends on its parent of origin Signup and view all the answers

What syndrome is associated with abnormal expression of both alleles of the IGF2 gene?

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome Signup and view all the answers

In differentiating cells that share the same genome, what differentiates their epigenomes?

Their epigenetic marks Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the evodevo field of study?

Understanding evolution through developmental biology Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome?

Enhanced digestive capacity Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Epigenetics and Developmental Plasticity

Offspring of women who experienced famine show increased risk of type 2 diabetes and slower metabolism due to epigenetic changes.
Developmental plasticity refers to changes occurring during development that enhance survival and reproduction, often influenced by environmental factors.

Adaptation Concepts

Adaptation enhances evolutionary fitness over time, but distinguishing between health and evolutionary fitness is complex due to factors like human reproductive control.
Developmental adaptations can be characterized into two models:
- Developmental contract model focuses on short-term survival at the expense of long-term health (e.g., wider hips for balance).
- Predictive models suggest developmental cues help individuals prepare for future adult environments.

Maternal Influence on Offspring

Maternal biology provides environmental cues (nutrients and hormones) to developing offspring, influencing their adaptation and preparedness for future challenges.

Homeostasis vs Allostasis

Homeostasis maintains physiological set points (like temperature), while allostasis recognizes the need for physiological adjustments to changing environments.
In embryonic development, pluripotent cells can specialize into various cell types through regulated epigenetic marks.

Epigenetics and Cellular Differentiation

Cellular differentiation is driven by lineage-specific epigenetic marks, influencing the type of cells developed.
Epigenetic patterns are preserved during mitosis and can be inherited, except in sex cells.

Genomic Imprinting

Genomic imprinting regulates gene expression based on parental origin, critical for balanced allelic expression.
Example: Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome results from abnormal expression of IGF2, leading to symptoms like hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.

The Field of Evodevo

Evodevo studies evolution through the lens of development, highlighting three principles:
- Unity: Core developmental genes shared across species.
- Diversity: Variations in physical traits arise from different gene arrangements.
- Modularity: Groups of genes work together for specific morphological outcomes.

Gene Types in Body Development

Segmentation genes dictate body structure divisions, while Hox genes regulate organ and tissue development within segments.

Genetic Drift and Trait Expression

Eye color variation can result from genetic drift, rather than being adaptive or attractive in new environments.

Evolutionary Psychology and Development

Evolutionary psychology integrates developmental influences into traditional adaptive explanations.

Evolutionary Spandrels

Spandrels are traits that arise as byproducts of other adaptations, e.g., bellybuttons or the hump of an Irish deer.

The Orchid and Dandelion Hypothesis

Stressful and supportive environments both shape human development, with responses varying based on childhood experiences.
Extreme psychosocial stress correlates with heightened sensitivity in adulthood, increasing risks of anxiety and depression, while supportive environments lead to more resilient stress responses.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of developmental plasticity, focusing on its effects on offspring health. It delves into how environmental factors, such as famine, can influence metabolic rates and epigenetic changes, leading to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Test your understanding of adaptation and its implications for evolutionary fitness.