On a general theoretical foundation for endocrinology. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van den Berg, Hugo A
• Is Part Of: Science progress. Volume 102:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Endocrinology -- fitness -- mathematical biology -- evolution of the endocrine system -- philosophy of biology; Science -- Periodicals; Research; Science; Science; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1177/0036850419825926
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0036-8504

Abstract

Hormones are messenger molecules that distribute across all tissues and thus operate on the whole-organism level. Moreover, a given hormone typically affects a number of different biological processes. As such, hormones coordinate concerted cooperation between the cells and tissues of an organism, a phenomenon that has been termed 'organismal harmony'. Furthermore, a concept that has recently been gaining traction is that hormones mediate or represent life history trade-offs, which are ultimately moulded by evolutionary pressures. Here, this concept is extended to include all 'decisions' or 'choices' that are made at the organismal level. A formal framework is sketched to explore the proposition that organismal biology, together with the 'fitness landscape', suffices in principle to determine minimalistic dynamics of the endocrine system.