Animals do not keep all their detoxification enzymes in aconstant state of readiness. Thus they depend on phenotypicplasticity to adapt to changing hazards. An example is providedby the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down ethylalcohol. People who do not drink alcoholic beverages have littlealcohol dehydrogenase. Expression of the enzyme increaseswhen people drink alcohol, but full expression requires manydays, meaning that people are incompletely defended againstalcohol’s effects when they first start drinking after a period ofnot drinking. Consider, also, that muscles atrophy when notused, rather than being maintained always in a fully developedstate. Propose reasons why animals depend on phenotypicplasticity, instead of maintaining all their systems in a maximumstate of readiness at all times.
Animals do not keep all their detoxification enzymes in aconstant state of readiness. Thus they depend on phenotypicplasticity to adapt to changing hazards. An example is providedby the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down ethylalcohol. People who do not drink alcoholic beverages have littlealcohol dehydrogenase. Expression of the enzyme increaseswhen people drink alcohol, but full expression requires manydays, meaning that people are incompletely defended againstalcohol’s effects when they first start drinking after a period ofnot drinking. Consider, also, that muscles atrophy when notused, rather than being maintained always in a fully developedstate. Propose reasons why animals depend on phenotypicplasticity, instead of maintaining all their systems in a maximumstate of readiness at all times.
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
Related questions
Question
Animals do not keep all their detoxification enzymes in a
constant state of readiness. Thus they depend on phenotypic
plasticity to adapt to changing hazards. An example is provided
by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down ethyl
alcohol. People who do not drink alcoholic beverages have little
alcohol dehydrogenase. Expression of the enzyme increases
when people drink alcohol, but full expression requires many
days, meaning that people are incompletely defended against
alcohol’s effects when they first start drinking after a period of
not drinking. Consider, also, that muscles atrophy when not
used, rather than being maintained always in a fully developed
state. Propose reasons why animals depend on phenotypic
plasticity, instead of maintaining all their systems in a maximum
state of readiness at all times.
Expert Solution
This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
This is a popular solution!
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps
Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, anatomy-and-physiology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Recommended textbooks for you
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9780134580999
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9781259398629
Author:
McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:
Mcgraw Hill Education,
Human Anatomy
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9780135168059
Author:
Marieb, Elaine Nicpon, Brady, Patricia, Mallatt, Jon
Publisher:
Pearson Education, Inc.,
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9780134580999
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9781259398629
Author:
McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:
Mcgraw Hill Education,
Human Anatomy
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9780135168059
Author:
Marieb, Elaine Nicpon, Brady, Patricia, Mallatt, Jon
Publisher:
Pearson Education, Inc.,
Anatomy & Physiology: An Integrative Approach
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9780078024283
Author:
Michael McKinley Dr., Valerie O'Loughlin, Theresa Bidle
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Human Anatomy & Physiology (Marieb, Human Anatomy…
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9780321927040
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON