Avishag Zahavi facts for kids
Avishag Kadman-Zahavi (born in 1922, passed away on October 31, 2021) was an important Israeli scientist. She was a professor who studied plants, specifically how they grow and work. She worked at The Volcani Center for Agricultural Research in Israel.
Avishag is famous for working closely with her husband, Amotz Zahavi. Together, they developed a big idea called the Handicap principle. This idea helps explain how natural selection works in animals and plants.
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About Avishag Zahavi
Avishag Kadman-Zahavi was born in Haifa, Israel, in 1922. She loved nature her whole life. She met Amotz Zahavi at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. They were both studying biology there. They got married in 1954.
Her Work with Plants
Avishag was a professor of Plant Physiology. This field studies how plants grow, breathe, and use energy. She looked at how light affects plant growth. This includes topics like photoperiodism, which is how plants react to the length of day and night. She also studied phytochrome, which are special plant pigments that sense light.
Working with Amotz Zahavi
Besides her own plant research, Avishag worked a lot with her husband, Amotz. They studied birds called babblers together. She helped him develop his ideas, especially the Handicap principle. This principle suggests that animals show off their strength or health by doing something costly or risky. For example, a peacock's huge tail is a "handicap" because it's hard to carry around. But if a peacock can survive with such a tail, it shows how strong and healthy it must be. This helps it attract mates. Avishag often challenged Amotz's ideas, which helped make them stronger.
Later Life and Family
After she retired, Avishag Kadman-Zahavi continued her research. She worked at the Yair center for agricultural research in Hatzeva. She passed away on October 31, 2021. Avishag and Amotz Zahavi had two daughters and two grandchildren.
Images for kids
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Zahavi (left) with her husband Amotz
