Navigation Links
The evolution of division of labor
Date:1/24/2012

This release is available in German.

Division of labour is not only a defining feature of human societies but is also omnipresent among the building blocks of biological organisms and is considered a major theme of evolution. Theoretical Biologists Claus Rueffler and Joachim Hermisson from Vienna University in collaboration with Gnter P. Wagner from Yale University identified necessary conditions under which division of labour is favoured by natural selection. The results of their study are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Most animals and plants consist of a set of building blocks, also called modules. An obvious case in point are higher organisms that are collections of many cells of different types. The modular structure of biological organization is also visible at many other levels: several plant organs are derived from leafs, insects have segmented bodies and vertebrates have different appendages. Our teeth are yet another example for this modular structure.

Evolution Need not Lead to Specialization

What jumps to the eyes is that modules are commonly not identical but differ in form and function as is clearly visible in for instance the case of incisive and molars. Such modules are specialists, which together with other specialist modules collaborate within an organism. This possibility for division of labour is regarded as one of the main advantages of a modular structure and a major trend in evolution. On the other hand, many examples for organisms exist that consist of identical modules that jointly fulfil more than a single task. For example, some green algae are colonies of a few dozens of undifferentiated cells and each cell contributes to feeding, locomotion and reproduction. Similarly, millipedes and many primitive crustaceans consist of many undifferentiated b
'/>"/>

Contact: Claus Rueffler
claus.rueffler@univie.ac.at
43-142-775-0774
University of Vienna
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Advantages of living in the dark: The multiple evolution events of blind cavefish
2. New study sheds light on evolutionary origin of oxygen-based cellular respiration
3. UF study: Rules may govern genome evolution in young plant species
4. When it comes to accepting evolution, gut feelings trump facts
5. University of Minnesota biologists replicate key evolutionary step
6. 2-timing and hybrids: RUB researchers look back on 100 million years of evolution
7. Revolutionary surgical technique for perforations of the eardrum
8. Breakthrough model reveals evolution of ancient nervous systems through seashell colors
9. Evolution of complexity recreated using molecular time travel
10. Over 65 million years North American mammal evolution has tracked with climate change
11. Head-first diversity shown to drive vertebrate evolution
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
The evolution of division of labor
(Date:6/19/2013)... (PISC) is extremely disappointed that the European Chemicals ... decision that requires Dow Benelux B.V.to conduct a ... will use approximately 1160 animals and expose pregnant ... dipropylene glycol methyl ether acetate (DPMA) in order ... the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals ...
(Date:6/19/2013)... DC The Microbial Diversity Course at the Marine ... named a Milestones in Microbiology site by the ... Milestones in Microbiology program recognizes institutions and the ... contributions toward advancing the science of microbiology. ... the site is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, ...
(Date:6/19/2013)... Biology, researchers report using DNA from tissues samples collected in ... killer whale ( Orcinus orca ). , In ... New Zealand beach and a skeleton was saved in a ... almost 50 years before this unique form of killer whale, ... was documented alive in the wild. , Scientists have ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Microbial diversity course designated as a 'Milestones in Microbiology' site 2
... team surveying mercury contamination in fish and birds in ... five "hotspots" where concentrations of the element exceed those ... on levels of the potent neurotoxin in yellow perch ... contamination in other fish, birds, and mammals. In addition ...
... women seem to be more ill-tempered than others? University ... anger, hostility and aggression may be genetic, rooted in ... of the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program at the University ... American Psychosomatic Society's Annual Meeting, held in Budapest, Hungary. ...
... The object of fascination for most is the DNA molecule. ... detailed instructions for virtually all life, is a twisted knot, ... famous double helix. To study it, scientists generally are forced ... there is no easy way to precisely single out individual ...
Cached Biology News:Hotspots of mercury contamination identified in eastern North America 2Nanotechnology meets biology and DNA finds its groove 2
(Date:6/19/2013)... June 19, 2013 ... announced the addition of the "Global ... report to their offering. ... of data protection and old security practises ... have driven the growth of biometric technologies ...
(Date:6/19/2013)...  Continuing its long history of proven clinical performance ... , Inc. announces the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ... I assay for use on its Access 2 immunoassay ... Beckman Coulter,s troponin I test for over 12 ... performance to continue providing dependability to laboratories supporting emergency ...
(Date:6/19/2013)... June 19, 2013 Biotechnology industry pioneer Amgen ... financial software provider BlackLine Systems  and enterprise application ... ) for a webinar next week entitled "No Account ... BlackLine and SAP to Help Keep Its Account Reconciliations in ... ) The webinar, geared at finance, accounting, ...
(Date:6/19/2013)... (PRWEB) June 19, 2013 Applied Rigaku ... report that details the measurement of sulfur in ultra-low ... QC+ high resolution benchtop EDXRF analyzer . The analysis ... test method ISO 13032. This International Standard specifies ... the determination of sulfur content in automotive gasoline. , ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Global Biometric Systems Market Forecast Report - Opportunities to 2018 2Global Biometric Systems Market Forecast Report - Opportunities to 2018 3Beckman Coulter Announces FDA Clearance of New Access AccuTnI+3 Troponin I Assay for the Access 2 Immunoassay System 2Beckman Coulter Announces FDA Clearance of New Access AccuTnI+3 Troponin I Assay for the Access 2 Immunoassay System 3Amgen Joins BlackLine Systems, SAP for Webinar on Automating Account Reconciliations 2Amgen Joins BlackLine Systems, SAP for Webinar on Automating Account Reconciliations 3Amgen Joins BlackLine Systems, SAP for Webinar on Automating Account Reconciliations 4Rigaku Publishes New Application Note for Analysis of ULSD Per ISO 13032 2
... (NASDAQ: GPRO ) today reported financial results for ... million and non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $0.51.   ... products in the second quarter of 2011, while supply chain ... sales a year ago," said Carl Hull, the Company,s president ...
... DIEGO, July 28, 2011 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ... June 30, 2011. For the second quarter of 2011, the Company ... to a net loss of $5.2 million, or $0.09 loss per ... ended June 30, 2011, the Company reported net income of $4.9 ...
... (NASDAQ: ITMN ) today announced that it will ... 4, 2011. A live conference call and webcast will be ... day to discuss business highlights and financial results for the ... To access the live teleconference, dial 888-567-5125 (U.S.) or 706-643-9223 ...
Cached Biology Technology:Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 2Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 3Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 4Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 5Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 6Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 7Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 8Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 9Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 10Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 11Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 12Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 13Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2011 14Neurocrine Biosciences Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results 2Neurocrine Biosciences Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results 3Neurocrine Biosciences Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results 4Neurocrine Biosciences Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results 5Neurocrine Biosciences Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results 6Neurocrine Biosciences Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results 7InterMune to Release Second Quarter Financial Results on August 4 2
Human MFRP MAb (Clone 291218)...
Human RELT/TNFRSF19L MAb (Clone 238104)...
...
... assay kit measures NOS activity by monitoring ... This assay is simple, sensitive, and specific ... with both crude and purified enzyme preparations. ... for 50 total reactions. Radiolabeled arginine and ...
Biology Products: