A general model for ontogenetic growth

Geoffrey B. West, James H. Brown, Brian J. Enquist

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

896 Scopus citations

Abstract

Several equations have been proposed to describe ontogenetic growth trajectories for organisms justified primarily on the goodness of fit rather than on any biological mechanism. Here, we derive a general quantitative model based on fundamental principles for the allocation of metabolic energy between maintenance of existing tissue and the production of new biomass. We thus predict the parameters governing growth curves from basic cellular properties and derive a single parameterless universal curve that describes the growth of many diverse species. The model provides the basis for deriving allometric relationships for growth rates and the timing of life history events.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)628-631
Number of pages4
JournalNature
Volume413
Issue number6856
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 11 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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