The model, developed by researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, is based on the idea that the stripes are formed by a process of self-organization. This means that the stripes emerge spontaneously, without any external guidance.
The model works by simulating the interactions between cells in the zebrafish's skin. These cells produce two chemicals, called activator and inhibitor. The activator chemical promotes the formation of stripes, while the inhibitor chemical prevents the formation of stripes.
The model shows that the stripes form when the activator and inhibitor chemicals reach a certain balance. This balance is achieved through a process of feedback, where the activator chemical stimulates the production of inhibitor, and the inhibitor chemical stimulates the production of activator.
The model also shows that the stripes are sensitive to changes in the environment. For example, if the zebrafish is exposed to a bright light, the stripes will become more pronounced. This is because the bright light stimulates the production of activator chemical.
The new model provides a better understanding of how zebrafish get their stripes. It also has implications for understanding other biological systems that form patterns, such as the stripes of tigers and the spots of leopards.
The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
