Publication details
Modelování lidského růstu. Dynamický fenotyp
| Title in English | Modelling of Human Growth. Dynamic Phenotype |
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| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Type | Monograph |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Human growth modelling has particular relevance in anthropological research while successful growth models can contribute in various areas of daily practical life. In order for a model to be successful, it should be based on an individual modelling and provide biologically understandable parameters. This monograph brings an overview of currently available models used for human growth and introduces a new model which is unlike other models based on physiological principles of growth and provides biological output. The presented model is called Dynamic Phenotype (since it models human growth as a phenotypic representation of the genotypic growth traits – a growth program acquired from the parents and modulated by the environmental factors). Dynamic Phenotype is based on the physiological principles of growth as the balance between anabolic and catabolic processes. Another important innovation with regard to the existing growth models is the fact that it is focused on the biological individual. Along with Waddington (1957), Ludvík Novák (author of the Dynamic Phenotype model) states that genetic program for growth until maturity (along with the overall genetic makeup) is created in the moment of origin of the biological individual – the creation of the zygote from the egg and the sperm. From this moment each individual has his/her own growth program set (which is modulated by nutrition and other environmental factors) and follows his/her own growth canal. The position in the canal is ensured by the action of physiological mechanisms called homeorhesis. Other model approaches do not regard the individual part of growth modeling. We feel that individual approach, especially to longitudinal data, is crucial. Each individual and its growth are different and in summarizing approaches the variability and its causes are inevitably lost. Another important advantage of Dynamic Phenotype is its relative ease of use and interpretation for non-mathematicians – for biologists. |