Differential growth is a concept in developmental biology that refers to the changes in the shape of an organism due to its growth. It can be observed in many animals, plants, and fungi. Differential growth occurs when certain parts of an organism grow at different rates than other parts. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as genetic differences, environmental stimuli, and hormonal regulation. Differential growth can cause changes in the organism’s shape, size, and even its behavior.
Differential growth is an important concept in understanding the development of multicellular organisms. For example, the process of differentiation, where cells become specialized for certain tasks, is facilitated by differential growth. Differential growth can also cause deformities in an organism, such as in the case of genetic disorders like Down Syndrome.
Differential growth can be modulated by several factors. For example, hormones can act to alter the rate of growth in certain parts of an organism. Environmental stimuli can also affect differential growth, such as in the case of plants responding to light or temperature. Differential growth can also be affected by genetic differences between cells, such as in the case of mutations or epigenetic factors.
In sum, differential growth is an important concept in developmental biology that is used to explain changes in the shape of an organism due to growth. It can be modulated by environmental stimuli, genetic differences, and hormones. Understanding differential growth can lead to a greater understanding of many developmental processes and can help in the diagnosis of genetic disorders.
References
Gibson, G.D., White, D.J., & Pertz, O.M. (2020). Differential Growth and Its Regulation. In Developmental Biology (pp. 117-144). Academic Press.
Lemaire, P., & Ghyselinck, N.B. (2014). Differential Growth: A Key Concept in Developmental Biology. Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, 30(1), 607-633.
Lohnes, D., & Grunwald, D. (2019). Differential Growth and Its Role in Morphogenesis. Current Biology, 29(22), R1185-R1198.