Models for embryonic periodicity
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Models for embryonic periodicity
（Monographs in developmental biology, v. 24）
Karger, 1992
Available at 16 libraries
Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. [72]-119) and index
2nd printing,1994
Description and Table of Contents
- Volume
-
ISBN 9783805555982
Description
Spatially periodic patterns like zebra stripes or insect segments are mysteriously precise. How do they form during development? The deeper question, which lies at the heart of developmental biology, is: how do cells in different places within an embryo acquire different states of gene expression? In principle, there are three possible answers: either a cell's position causes its state, or its state causes its position, or both are caused by some third agent. These alternatives provide a framework for classifying theoretical models. Positional information models, the most widely used today, belong to the first category. In order to facilitate comparisons, this book strips away all ad hoc assumptions to expose the central tenets of each model, traces the historical roots and familial relationships among different types of models, and illustrates the rules of each model in terms of how it would solve the same basic problem. It also re-examines the computer metaphor in developmental biology: are embryonic cells robots in disguise?
The surprising answer - based upon their ability to perform Boolean logic, store and process information, execute iterative subroutines and malfunction in predictable ways - is yes.
Table of Contents
- Positional information mechanisms
- prepattern mechanisms
- determination wave mechanisms
- Darwinian mechanisms
- cell-lineage mechanisms
- the computer metaphor in developmental biology.
- Volume
-
ISBN 9783805560085
Description
A Karger 'Publishing Highlights 1890-2015' title Spatially periodic patterns like zebra stripes or insect segments are mysteriously precise. How do they form during development? The deeper question, which lies at the heart of developmental biology, is: How do cells in different places within an embryo acquire different states of gene expression? In principle, there are three possible answers: either a cell's position causes its state, or its state causes its position, or both are caused by some third agent. These alternatives provide a framework for classifying theoretical models. Positional information models, the most widely used today, belong to the first category. Dozens of rival schemes have been proposed, but until now many have been overlooked because they were obscured by confusing jargon, impenetrable mathematics, or tortuous logic. In order to facilitate comparisons, this book (1) strips away all ad hoc assumptions to expose the central tenets of each model, (2) traces the historical roots and familial relationships among different types of models, and (3) illustrates the rules of each model in terms of how it would solve the same basic problem. It also reexamines the computer metaphor in developmental biology: Are embryonic cells robots in disguise? The surprising answer, based upon their ability to perform Boolean logic, store and process information, execute iterative subroutines ... and malfunction in predictable ways ... is yes! This valuable text by the author of the acclaimed new book Imaginal Discs (Cambridge University Press) is required reading for biologists and zoologists interested in the pattern subfield of developmental biology.
Table of Contents
- Positional information mechanisms
- prepattern mechanisms
- determination wave mechanisms
- Darwinian mechanisms
- rearrangement mechanisms
- cell-lineage mechanisms
- the computer metaphor in developmental biology.
by "Nielsen BookData"