Life Sciences Commons^™

The Relationship Of Catalase Activity To The Trade-Off Between Reproduction And Lifespan In The Giant Waterbug, Belostoma Flumineum, Matthew R. Gilg

Masters Theses

Senescence is the process by which organisms age and ultimately die. Life history theory suggests that the allocation of energy into growth and reproduction is necessarily associated with a decrease in energy available for the maintenance of the soma. Many studies have shown that early or increased rates of reproduction are often correlated with a decrease in longevity, but few studies have investigated physiological correlates to this event. Catalase is an enzyme involved in the removal of oxygen free radicals implicated in damaging cellular components that contribute to senescence. A decrease in catalase activity with age could increase the organism's …