Phenotypic plasticity and longevity in plants and animals: cause and effect?

Borges, Renee M. (2009) Phenotypic plasticity and longevity in plants and animals: cause and effect? Journal of Biosciences, 34 (4). pp. 605-611. ISSN 0250-5991

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Official URL: http://www.ias.ac.in/jbiosci/oct2009/605.pdf

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12038-009-0078-3

Abstract

Immobile plants and immobile modular animals outlive unitary animals. This paper discusses competing but not necessarily mutually exclusive theories to explain this extreme longevity, especially from the perspective of phenotypic plasticity. Stem cell immortality, vascular autonomy, and epicormic branching are some important features of the phenotypic plasticity of plants that contribute to their longevity. Monocarpy versus polycarpy can also influence the kind of senescent processes experienced by plants. How density-dependent phenomena affecting the establishment of juveniles in these immobile organisms can influence the evolution of senescence, and consequently longevity, is reviewed and discussed. Whether climate change scenarios will favour long-lived or short-lived organisms, with their attendant levels of plasticity, is also presented.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to Indian Academy of Sciences.
Keywords:Antagonistic Pleiotropy; Epicormic Branching; Free Radical Theory of Ageing; Monocarpy; Polycarpy; Senescence; Telomere Shortening
ID Code:3653
Deposited On:18 Oct 2010 10:09
Last Modified:16 May 2016 14:24

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