Lecturer: Kooijman, S.A.L.M. 
Time: 2004/02/26/13:00-14:00
Site: Schoorl
Event: PhD-day NVTB
Title: Evolution of metabolic organization

Abstract: The central metabolism of all organisms is rather similar, espatially among eukarytes, w

Metabolic organization of individual organisms is basic to life. It
seems to follow simple quantitative rules that can be understood from
basic physical chemical principles. These rules quantify how
individuals acquire and utilize energy and nutrients, while cycling
through their life stages. Dynamic Energy Budget ({\sc deb}) theory
identifies the most basic rules, and links them together in a
consistent framework.

The {\sc deb} theory applies to all species of organisms (unicellular
as well as multicellular ones) and links various levels of biological
organization; this multi-level approach is considered to be essential
for the understanding of life processes. Many popular empirical models
turn out to be special cases of the standard {\sc deb} model, or very
close numerical approximations. The lecture will discuss some
key-issues:
\begin{itemize}
\item The evolution of various forms of homeostasis, which has close
  links with the process of symbiogenesis (the stepwise integration of
  mitochondria and chloroplasts in the evolution of eukaryotic cells),
  and of other forms of symbioses that are based on syntrophy.
  Homeostasis comes which stoichiometic contraints on growth and
  reproduction.
\item The dynamic interactions between surfaces and volumes at the
  various levels of organisation (cellular membranes, individuals,
  ecosystems, system earth). These interactions determine growth
  potentials, and are basic to explanations for intra- and
  inter-specific body-size scaling relationships of natural history
  parameters (rates of respiration, growth, reproduction, juvenile
  period, life span, etc).
\item The turnover of cellular components. Substrates are converted
  into one or more types of reserves, and reserves are converted into
  (one or more types of) structural mass, after ``payment'' of somatic
  maintenance costs. The latter costs concern, a.o., the turnover of
  structural mass, while the reserve has an implied turnover at a rate
  that is inversely proportional to the body length in isomorphs. The
  combination of these different forms of turnover can explain the
  dynamics of the dual functions of many cellular components as source
  of energy and of building blocks.
\end{itemize}

A general introductory paper to the {\sc deb} theory can be found at\\
\centerline{http://www.bio.vu.nl/thb/research/bib/Kooy2001.html}

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