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A general model for ontogenetic growth
G B West1, J H Brown, B J Enquist
1Theoretical Division, MS B285, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA. gbw@lanl.gov
Nature
|October 26, 2001
Summary
This study presents a universal growth model based on metabolic energy allocation, explaining organism growth curves from cellular properties. It offers a parameterless curve applicable to diverse species, aiding in understanding allometric relationships and life history events.
Area of Science:
- Quantitative Biology
- Physiological Ecology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Existing ontogenetic growth models often lack biological mechanistic justification.
- Growth curve equations are typically chosen for fit rather than underlying principles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive a general quantitative model for organismal growth based on metabolic energy allocation.
- To predict growth curve parameters from fundamental cellular properties.
- To establish a universal, parameterless growth curve applicable across diverse species.
Main Methods:
- Developed a quantitative model grounded in the principles of metabolic energy allocation between tissue maintenance and biomass production.
- Derived a single, parameterless universal growth curve from the model.
- Utilized basic cellular properties to predict growth curve parameters.
Main Results:
- A novel quantitative model for ontogenetic growth was derived from first principles.
- A single, parameterless universal growth curve was identified, applicable to diverse species.
- The model successfully predicts growth curve parameters from cellular properties.
Conclusions:
- The derived model provides a biologically mechanistic basis for understanding organismal growth.
- The universal growth curve offers a simplified yet powerful tool for comparative biology.
- This framework facilitates the derivation of allometric relationships for growth rates and life history timing.
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