Morphostasis: an
evolving perspective
This page includes a brief synopsis of the article "Morphostasis:
an evolving perspective" - published in 1996
PubMed Medline entry
HTML reproduction of the article
Synopsis and main points
This article looks in more detail at the probable evolution
of morphostasis
It emphasises the concept of tautologies (self evident
"truths") that, nevertheless need to be stamped out because we tend to agree to
them just before proceeding to ignore them.
Other-than-healthy-self is defined further
The evolutionary shell concept is emphasised – "…~ each
(evolutionary) step is an embellishment of a former step, and all remain
functional in mammal morphostasis. Each is a new ‘shell’ which is superimposed
over and is complementary to the former shell. It is important to note the
fundamental centrality and importance of this structure. Shells are built upon –
they are neither abandoned nor substituted but remain fully functional."
It now takes a conjectural romp through:-
 | "Self" which is (defensively) delimited by the cell membrane
|
| The evolution of internal (cell) surveillance
|
| The evolution of apoptosis |
| The evolution of gap junctions |
| The evolution of cell adhesion molecules |
| The concept of "soma"/"scavenger" segregation
|
| The importance of gap junctional communication in
establishing an "I’m not worth checking" identity. |
| The evolution of natural killer cells, cytotoxic
T-cells, helper T-cells, B-cells and free antibodies. |
| The likelihood that gap junctions are important
contributors in immune cell interactions |
| It concludes:-
 | "I have explored the probable evolution of
morphostasis and conclude that gap junctions (GJs -plasmodesmata in plants)
are the cornerstone of metazoan success. While many of the component ideas
are speculative, I believe the general theme is crystal clear. The more
precise deductions will inevitably require revision. It emphasises the
proportions that should be attributed to each part of the system. In
particular, it suggests that more investigative effort should be
concentrated on GJ physiology. I propose that this hypothesis is a useful
framework on which to hang a more focused investigation of the biochemical
processes of morphostasis." |
|
