ISSN:
1420-9071
Keywords:
Small intestine
;
brush border
;
nutrient absorption
;
sugar absorption
;
lactation
;
cold exposure
;
symmorphosis
;
safety margin
;
reserve capacity
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Natural selection tends to eliminate unutilized capacities because of their costs. Hence we ask how large are the reserve capacities by which biological capacities exceed natural loads, and how closely are related biological capacities matched to each other. Measured capacities (Vmax values) of small intestinal brush-border nutrient transporters are typically around twice their natural loads (dietary intakes of their substrates); the ratio is higher for a transporter of a hyperessential nutrient. Preliminary evidence suggests matching of capacities between different steps in carbohydrate metabolism, and between the intestine, liver, kidneys, and spleen. Symmorphosis — the postulated matching of capacities to each other and to loads — is a testable hypothesis of economic design, useful in detecting and explaining cases of apparently uneconomic design.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01920238
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