Question

Define the principles of allocation. Give an example of a tradeoff in the life history of an organism resulting from this principle

Answer 1

Principle of allocation is the principle that if an organism allocates energy to one function, such as growth or reproduction, it reduces the amount of energy available to the other functions, such as defense. The principle of allocation also underlies some aspects of the concept of tradeoffs and normally is considered in terms of energy. Organisms tend to be unable to be simultaneously exceptionally durable in terms of maintaining homeostasis, and at the same time exceptionally fecund in terms of a limited resource budget.

The event of the principle of allocation can be seen with iteroparous organisms that display more than one reproductive episode per lifetime. If these organisms do excessive investment in reproduction in one year that can reduce their potentiality to survive and/or reproduce in a subsequent year.