AIntroFIG 1: Life Cycle of C. elegans.

AIntroFIG 1: Life Cycle of C. elegans.

C. elegans larval development proceeds through 4 larval stages (L1 through L4). L4 larvae molt into adults that develop into adults that survive for approximately 3 weeks under normal laboratory conditions and then proceed through various aging phenotypes. L1 larvae may proceed through the alternate dauer pathway under harsh environmental conditions. Dauer larvae are adapted for long-term survival and dispersal to new environments. Once in a more favorable environment, dauer larvae reenter reproductive development by molting into the L4 larval stage and progressing through the rest of the life cycle normally. (Adapted from WormAtlas IntroFIG 6 and DIntroFIG 1.)

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