Phenotypic Plasticity 1

Question 1

phenotype =

Answer 1

genotype (nature) + environment (nurture)

Question 2

quantitative genetics

Answer 2

1. genotype depends on environmental conditions expressed - is an agent of development
2. development as opportunity for change could dilute effects of selection

Question 3

plasticity is important factor which facilitates:

Answer 3

1. novelty
2. speciation
3. macroevolution

Question 4

plastic & nonplastic

Answer 4

1. Plastic:
   Phenotype changes in response to environmental change
2. Nonplastic:
   Phenotype fixed in response to environmental change

Question 5

experiments to test:

Answer 5

plants in labs/ outside, twin experiments for humans

Question 6

what is phenotypic plasticity?

Answer 6

1. Ability of a single genotype to alter its phenotype in response to environmental conditions to alternative form
2. Allows adaptation in heterogeneous environments
3. Amount and type of phenotypic change depends on environment
4. Adaptive or nonadaptive

Question 7

adaptive plasticity

Answer 7

plasticity maintained by natural selection
1. behaviour
2. physiology
3. morphology

Question 8

agents of PP

Answer 8

1. light
2. temperature
3. nutrition

Question 9

environmental sex determination

Answer 9

e.g blue-headed wrase (fish that can turn from female to male when the dominant male dies)

Question 10

reaction norm

Answer 10

Set of phenotypes that are
associated with an
individual’s genotype when
exposed to different
environmental conditions

Question 11

quantitative genetics

Answer 11

V = VG + VE + VGE

Genotype x Environment interaction (GxE)

Question 12

behaviour

Answer 12

Variation in behaviour between individuals (inter-individual differences) -> Behavioural trait syndromes (AKA personality)

Question 13

behaviour reaction norms

Answer 13

e.g. small temperature changes can affect coral reef fish
behaviour- looking for how aggressive, bold they are

Question 14

physiology

Answer 14

1. training improves physical performance
2. Altered environmental conditions can result in a behavioural response, i.e. movement to seek a new environment, or lead over time to muscle plasticity, which tunes the functional output of the muscle to the prevailing conditions.

Question 15

costs

Answer 15

1. Maintenance costs (maintaining different conditions)
2. Production costs
3. Developmental instability
4. Genetic costs

Question 16

limits

Answer 16

1. Information reliability
2. Lag-time (to see results)
3. Developmental range
4. Epiphenotype problem

Question 17

benefits

Answer 17

allows individual to match to more environments