Pattern Formation During Animal Development

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 252; no. 5003; pp. 234 - 241
• Main Author: Melton, D. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Society for the Advancement of Science 12.04.1991; American Association for the Advancement of Science; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Activins; Animal embryology; Animalia; Animals; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Cell differentiation; Cellular biology; Cytoplasm; Developmental biology; Drosophila melanogaster - embryology; Eggs; Embryogenesis; Embryology; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Embryonic Development; Embryos; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression; General aspects. Development. Fetal membranes; Genes; Genes, Homeobox; Homeobox genes; Inhibins - physiology; Mesoderm; Messenger RNA; Molecular biology; Molecules; Morphogenesis; Ova; Ovum - ultrastructure; Physical growth; RNA, Messenger - genetics; Tretinoin; Xenopus laevis - embryology; Morphogenesis; Embryonic development; Embryo; Morphology; Mosaicism; Polarity; Review
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1672778

At the beginning of this century, embryologists defined the central problems of developmental biology that remain today. These questions include how differentiated cells arise and form tissues and organs and how pattern is generated. In short, how does an egg give rise to an adult? In recent years, the application of molecular biology to cmbryological problems has led to significant advances and recast old problems in molecular and cellular terms. Although not necessarily comprehensive, this idiosyncratic review is intended to highlight selected findings and indicate where there are important gaps in our knowledge for those less than familiar with developmental biology.