Transcript Slide 1

Cell Development and
Differentiation (Cell Fate)
Do all cells in one organism have identical DNA?
What determines whether a cell will become one tissue or another?
How does a fertilized egg know what to do to make an organism?
Cell fate depends on signals
How can we tell what is happening with cells in a developing organism?
What can be said about the expression of mitochondrial, ribosomal, and cytoskeletal/neural genes?
E=embryogenesis
L=larval
P=pupal
A= adult; M=male; F=female
An Example of Gradient and Relay Signaling in C. Elegans
Plant Development
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Plants do not gastrulate.
Germ cells are not set aside early in development.
Plants undergo extended morphogenesis.
Plants have tremendous developmental plasticity. Plants may
tolerate higher genetic loads than animals.
Homeotic genes =
Some Processes in Development are Common Across All Organisms
http://www.med.unc.edu/embryo_images/unitwelcome/welcome_htms/contents.htm
http://bidmc.harvard.edu/display.asp?node_id=2791