Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...

Plasticity

Plasticity

Plasticity is the property where an object loses its elasticity and undergoes irreversible deformation, even after the deformation forces are eliminated. If a material deforms irreversibly without increasing stress or load, then this is called ideal plasticity. For example, when a force is applied to an aluminum rod, it changes its shape, but it does not return to its original shape once the force is removed. Plastic deformation or ductility is thus a permanent deformation or change in the...

Natural Selection and Adaptation

Natural Selection and Adaptation

Natural selection, a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, is the mechanism by which evolution is driven, favoring organisms that are best adapted to their environments. This process enhances their chances of survival and reproduction. Adaptation, a key outcome of this process, involves genetic modifications that optimize an organism's functionality under specific environmental challenges, such as extreme cold or thinner air at high altitudes.
Beyond physical adaptations, psychological...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Loss, persistence and reversal of phenotypic traits.

Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·2026

Same author

Real-World Evidence of Regorafenib Dose Escalation Versus Fixed Dosing in Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Results from the ReTrITA Study.

Cancers·2025

Same author

Redefining the Use of Regorafenib and Trifluridine/Tipiracil Without Bevacizumab in Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Findings from the ReTrITA Study.

Cancers·2025

Same author

Exploring the Prognostic and Predictive Impact of Genomic Loss of Heterozygosity and Homologous Recombination Deficiency Alterations in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

JCO precision oncology·2025

Same author

Correction: First evidence of the effectiveness of a field application of RNAi technology in reducing infestation of the mite Varroa destructor in the western honey bee (Apis mellifera).

Parasites & vectors·2025

Same author

First evidence of the effectiveness of a field application of RNAi technology in reducing infestation of the mite Varroa destructor in the western honey bee (Apis mellifera).

Parasites & vectors·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Published on: November 2, 2012

Phenotypic plasticity in development and evolution: facts and concepts. Introduction.

Giuseppe Fusco¹, Alessandro Minelli

¹Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, I-35131 Padova, Italy. giuseppe.fusco@unipd.it

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences

|January 20, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Environmental sensitivity in development explains metazoan life cycle evolution, particularly complex life cycles and developmental plasticity. This explores how plasticity drives trait evolution and adaptive value.

More Related Videos

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

A Proboscis Extension Response Protocol for Investigating Behavioral Plasticity in Insects: Application to Basic, Biomedical, and Agricultural Research

A Proboscis Extension Response Protocol for Investigating Behavioral Plasticity in Insects: Application to Basic, Biomedical, and Agricultural Research

Published on: September 8, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Published on: November 2, 2012

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

A Proboscis Extension Response Protocol for Investigating Behavioral Plasticity in Insects: Application to Basic, Biomedical, and Agricultural Research

A Proboscis Extension Response Protocol for Investigating Behavioral Plasticity in Insects: Application to Basic, Biomedical, and Agricultural Research

Published on: September 8, 2014

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Developmental biology
Ecology

Background:

Phenotypic plasticity is crucial for understanding metazoan life cycle evolution.
Focus on complex life cycles and environmental cues driving adaptive evolution.
Explores the interplay between genotype, phenotype, and environmental sensitivity.

Discussion:

Investigates the evolution of switches between alternative phenotypes.
Examines the temporal control of alternative phenotypes within life cycles.
Integrates diverse case studies for a comprehensive view of phenotypic evolution.

Key Insights:

Phenotypic plasticity offers a framework for understanding evolutionary adaptation.
Environmental sensitivity shapes the evolution of complex life cycles.
Developmental plasticity is a key driver of evolutionary innovation.

Outlook:

Further research into the adaptive value of phenotypic plasticity.
Integrating developmental plasticity into broader evolutionary theory.
Exploring new case studies to refine our understanding of phenotypic evolution.