Reaction norm

In ecology and genetics, a reaction norm, also called a norm of reaction, describes the pattern of phenotypic expression of a single genotype across a range of environments. One use of reaction norms is in describing how different species—especially related species—respond to varying environments. But differing genotypes within a single species may also show differing reaction norms relative to a particular phenotypic trait and environment variable. For every genotype, phenotypic trait, and environmental variable, a different reaction norm can exist; in other words, an enormous complexity can exist in the interrelationships between genetic and environmental factors in determining traits. The concept was introduced by Richard Woltereck in 1909.[1][2][3][4][5]

  1. ^ Lewontin R, Rose S, Kamin LJ (1984). Not in Our Genes: Biology, Ideology and Human Nature. ISBN 0-394-72888-2.
  2. ^ Lewontin R, Levins R (1985). The Dialectical Biologist. Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-20283-X.
  3. ^ Lewontin R (1991). Biology as Ideology: The Doctrine of DNA. ISBN 0-06-097519-9.
  4. ^ Lewontin R (2000). The Triple Helix: Gene, Organism, and Environment. Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-00159-1.
  5. ^ Griffiths AJ, Miller JH, Suzuki DT, Lewontin RC, Gelbart WM (2000). "Norm of reaction and phenotypic distribution". In Griffiths AJ (ed.). An Introduction to Genetic Analysis (7th ed.).