Figure 5.

Three hypothetical mechanistic scenarios that could account for the involvement of RLS1 in the reproduction-survival trade-off in C. reinhardtii in response to nutrient-deprivation. Scenario (i) is independent of light and involves allocation of resources to survival (at a cost to reproduction). Scenario (ii) assumes ROS produced in response to nutrient stress having a negative effect on reproduction by inducing cell cycle arrest, which will have a positive effect on survival by repairing the DNA damage. Scenario (iii) envisions downregulation of photosynthesis having antagonistic effects on survival and reproduction. See text for discussion. (Online version in colour.)