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Epigenetic inheritance influencing the behavior of future generations and its reversibility during ontogenesis
Freisingerová, Kateřina ; Landová, Eva (advisor) ; Švorcová, Jana (referee)
The aim of this work is to focus on possible mechanisms of transmission of changes that are conditioned by epigenetic modifications that could affect specific behaviour and phenotype in offspring. The inheritance can be channeled through both maternal and paternal lineages. It can be divided into two distinct groups of transmission, namely intragenerational and transgenerational. This work mainly focuses on the possible mechanisms of transgenerational inheritance. Epigenetic mechanisms leading to changes in the phenotype of an organism rely on influencing the regulation of DNA reading. This occurs at several levels such as DNA methylation, chemical modifications such as acetylation and other post-translational modifications, and most importantly non-coding RNA molecules. Today, countless studies are trying to explain these molecular processes mediated by environmental influences. Well known are maternal care, chemicals, or traumatic experiences. There are examples of traumatic environmental influences in which physiological changes in HPA axis regulation can be observed with consequent changes in the expression of genes for depressive and anxiety phenotypes. Most of the experiments focusing on epigenetic transmission are predominantly conducted in mouse or rat models. However, there are also...
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Multilevel selection theory
Mihulka, Tomáš ; Švorcová, Jana (advisor) ; Toman, Jan (referee)
Multilevel selection is an attempt to unify different approaches to the Level of selection problem. This paper examines the principles, starting points, variants and problems of this concept. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship of this theory to Gene's-eye view and the presentation of evidence of the usefulness of Multilevel selection in analyzing evolutionary changes.
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Organic memory in embryonic development
Švorcová, Jana ; Markoš, Anton (advisor) ; Černý, Robert (referee) ; Kull, Kalevi (referee)
The submitted thesis deals with the topic of organic memory, its definition and function, as well as its conceptions from various historical points of view. I use the term "organic memory" in respect to some authors who have previously dealt with this subject (Elsasser 1987, Otis 1994, Barbieri 2003) and also as a term by which to represent a kind of memory distinct from neuronal/cerebral memory. The general memory metaphors (in the case of neuronal memory) are essentially connected with terms such as storage, matrix, or place. For rather materialistic conception of memory, it is also symptomatic that different states such as emotions or mental faculties can be concretely localized in the brain tissue. On the contrary, some philosophers described memory as a primarily temporal entity without connection to place or matter. The question of organic memory was already vivid in 19th century biology, linked to Lamarckian philosophy (Hering 1870, Haeckel 1876, Butler 1910). The organic memory ideas floundered between vitalistic and rather materialistic conceptions: the first attributed some psychological features to cells or memory particles; the second was based on physics or in Cartesian doctrine, and described memory as essentially localized as a kind of storage of traces or patterns of physical waves....
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Organic codes and memories
Švorcová, Jana ; Markoš, Anton (advisor) ; Brábek, Jan (referee)
5 Abstract The backgrounds of Marcello Barbieri's semantic biology and the semiotic biology are confronted in the issue of autonomy of living systems. In the place of an interpreter in Pierce's triad, in Barbieri's case there stands a code. Although both concepts attribute important status to the meaning in biology (which is left out outside the scope of semiotic tradition), both concepts are by definition different in the way of apprehension the nature of living systems and of basic biological ideas. Codes are considered to have fundamental status in Barbieri's concept. From this point of view the analysis of histone code hypothesis seems to be appropriate. Can we say (according to our today's scientific knowledge) that histone code truly fulfills demands of Barbieri's concept of codes? Another Barbieri's idea of epigenesis functioning on the basis of biological memory can be unfolded not only thanks to analysis of the phylotypic stage's role, but also by similar analysis of the homeotic genes' role in morphogenesis of vertebrates, because even these genes can be regarded as biological memory of species. These analyses will lead us step by step to the negation of the thesis "cultura contra natura".
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Multilevel selection theory
Mihulka, Tomáš ; Švorcová, Jana (advisor) ; Toman, Jan (referee)
Multilevel selection is an attempt to unify different approaches to the Level of selection problem. This paper examines the principles, starting points, variants and problems of this concept. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship of this theory to Gene's-eye view and the presentation of evidence of the usefulness of Multilevel selection in analyzing evolutionary changes.
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Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in Mammals
Dostálová, Veronika ; Švorcová, Jana (advisor) ; Markoš, Anton (referee)
Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in mamals is a widely discussed topic in today's biology. Epigenetic modifications are molecules that play a crucial role in regulation of gene transcription. Epigenetic modifications regulate another epigenetic modification's establishment. The extrinsic and the intrinsic cellular or organismal environment is involved within the establishment of epigenetic state. The molecules involved in epigenetic processes are able to regulate gene transcription in reaction to the environment and therefore these molecules partly shape the phenotype. Most importantly, epigenetic processes are affected by cellular or organismal history. A question emerges: Are these molecules able to transfer information through germline to subsequent generations? Does transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in mammals exist? Experimental data show it is so. What consequences this can mean in our understanding of evolution? Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Organic memory in embryonic development
Švorcová, Jana ; Markoš, Anton (advisor) ; Černý, Robert (referee) ; Kull, Kalevi (referee)
The submitted thesis deals with the topic of organic memory, its definition and function, as well as its conceptions from various historical points of view. I use the term "organic memory" in respect to some authors who have previously dealt with this subject (Elsasser 1987, Otis 1994, Barbieri 2003) and also as a term by which to represent a kind of memory distinct from neuronal/cerebral memory. The general memory metaphors (in the case of neuronal memory) are essentially connected with terms such as storage, matrix, or place. For rather materialistic conception of memory, it is also symptomatic that different states such as emotions or mental faculties can be concretely localized in the brain tissue. On the contrary, some philosophers described memory as a primarily temporal entity without connection to place or matter. The question of organic memory was already vivid in 19th century biology, linked to Lamarckian philosophy (Hering 1870, Haeckel 1876, Butler 1910). The organic memory ideas floundered between vitalistic and rather materialistic conceptions: the first attributed some psychological features to cells or memory particles; the second was based on physics or in Cartesian doctrine, and described memory as essentially localized as a kind of storage of traces or patterns of physical waves....
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