Scientist proposes a new Universal Law of Biology that may explain aging.
Life appears to require at least some instability. This fact should be considered a biological universality, proposes University of Southern California molecular biologist John Tower.
Biological laws are thought to be rare and describe patterns or organising principles that appear to be generally ubiquitous. While they can be squishier than the absolutes of maths or physics, such rules in biology help us understand the complex processes that govern life.
Most examples we've found so far seem to concern themselves with the conservation of materials or energy and therefore life's tendency towards stability.
For instance, Allen's rule, formulated in 1877, states warm-blooded animals in colder areas require stouter limbs with less surface area to conserve body heat, whereas in warmer regions the opposite is true. But as with everything biological, there are some exceptions : including short-legged bush dogs found in Central and South America and the common frog.
Another example of biological 'rules' lies in repeating structures that obey mathematical power laws as they increase in size, such as the ever expanding spiral of a nautilus shell. These are widespread across many biological systems and again are strategies believed to conserve the use of energy and material. The way bees make hexagonal honeycomb is another clever example.
"Self-similar structures, including logarithmic spirals are thought to be the most economical way to grow the size of a structure, without changing shape or destroying existing structure", explains Tower.
His concept, termed 'selectively advantageous instability', however, challenges this tendency towards the conservation of resources in biological systems.
......to be contd.
Tailpiece.
Got up at a half past 5, the chores and was ready by a half past 9.
The maid was at work. The rain was on pause for most of the time today!
A quiet Saturday.
Courtesy. Tessa Koumoundouros in Nature
No comments:
Post a Comment