Thrifty phenotype
Thrifty Phenotype
Thrifty phenotype (/ˈθrɪftiː/ /ˈfiːnətaɪp/) is a biological concept that refers to the proposed ability of an organism to effectively manage its energy resources in response to environmental changes. The term was first coined by British epidemiologist David Barker in the early 1990s.
Etymology
The term "thrifty" is derived from the English word "thrift", which means careful management of resources, particularly money. The term "phenotype" comes from the Greek words "phainein" (to show) and "typos" (type). Thus, "thrifty phenotype" essentially means a type that shows thriftiness or careful management of resources.
Concept
The thrifty phenotype hypothesis suggests that conditions in the womb can shape the metabolism and physiology of the offspring, predisposing them to metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity later in life. This is thought to occur as a result of the fetus adapting to a nutrient-poor environment in the womb, leading to a "thrifty" metabolism that is beneficial in conditions of scarcity but detrimental in conditions of abundance.
Related Terms
- Barker Hypothesis: Also known as the fetal origins hypothesis, this is the theory that prenatal nutrition and growth can influence the development of diseases in adulthood.
- Developmental Plasticity: The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to changes in the environment.
- Metabolic Syndrome: A cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Thrifty phenotype
- Wikipedia's article - Thrifty phenotype
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