Optimality theory, Gompertz' law, and the disposable soma theory of senescence

被引:116
作者
Abrams, PA [1 ]
Ludwig, D [1 ]
机构
[1] UNIV BRITISH COLUMBIA, DEPT ZOOL, VANCOUVER, BC V6T 1Z4, CANADA
关键词
aging; disposable soma theory; dynamic programming; Gompertz' Law; life history; mortality rates; optimization; senescence;
D O I
10.1111/j.1558-5646.1995.tb04433.x
中图分类号
Q14 [生态学(生物生态学)];
学科分类号
071012 [生物信息与计算生物学]; 0713 [生态学];
摘要
The ''disposable soma'' theory for the evolution of senescence suggests that senescence arises from an optimal balancing of resources between reproduction and somatic repair. Dynamic programming models are constructed and analyzed to determine the optimal relationship between reproduction, diversion of resources from repair, and added senescent mortality. Of particular interest is the relationship between the repair-reproduction trade-off and the form of the mortality-rate-versus-age curve predicted. The models analyzed in the greatest detail assume that the relationship between reproduction and added senescent mortality does not change with age. These suggest that mortality should increase at an increasing rate with age, but may approach a linear rate as mortality becomes very high. General results are derived for the shape of the mortality curves early and late in the senescing part of the life span, and mortality curves for specific trade-off functions are illustrated. An exponential increase in death rate with age (Gompertz' Law) corresponds to only one of many possible relationships between reproduction and aging. The ''Law'' is unlikely to hold generally if the disposable soma theory accounts for a large fraction of the observed senescent increase in mortality with age. However, support for the generality of Gompertz' Law is weak, and other theories have not produced an evolutionary explanation for the law. The disposable soma theory is consistent with some of the exceptions to Gompertz' Law that have been observed.
引用
收藏
页码:1055 / 1066
页数:12
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