Energy available for growth

Figure 1. The dependence of rate of gain on the proportion of the net energy available for growth (G). These relationships assume a 400-kg steer is receiving the same diet but in increasing amounts relative to that required for maintenance (M).

Environmental changes can alter the amounts of materials and energy available for defense production and how those resources are allocated to growth, reproduction, and defense (e.g., the availability of light and nutrients has been linked to changes in resource allocation to defense in many terrestrial plants123 124 134 135). 

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