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Related Concept Videos

Morphogenesis02:19

Morphogenesis

Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant.
Cellular Differentiation00:57

Cellular Differentiation

How does a complex organism such as a human develop from a single cell? It all starts from a single fertilized egg which gives rise to a vast array of cell types, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells that characterize the adult? Throughout development and adulthood, cellular differentiation leads cells to assume their final morphology and physiology. Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions.
A zygote is a...
Transcription01:10

Transcription

Overview
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
Inheritance01:25

Inheritance

Gregor Mendel's pioneering work on the principles of inheritance fundamentally transformed our understanding of how traits are transmitted from generation to generation. His experiments with pea plants laid the groundwork for the discovery of genes, discrete units within organisms that control heredity.
Each gene exists in pairs, and the combination of these genes from both parents forms an individual's genotype. This genotype is a blueprint of potential traits. Examples of genotype traits...
Determination01:51

Determination

During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...
Forced Transdifferentiation01:28

Forced Transdifferentiation

Transdifferentiation, also known as lineage reprogramming, was first discovered by Selman and Kafatos in 1974 in silkmoths. They observed that the moths’ cuticle-producing cells transformed into salt-producing cells. Many such cases of natural transdifferentiation occur in organisms. In humans, pancreatic alpha cells can become beta cells. In newts, the loss of the eye’s lens causes the pigmented epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into the lens cells.
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...

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Updated: May 30, 2026

Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients
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Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients

Published on: December 14, 2015

Morphogen gradients: from generation to interpretation.

Katherine W Rogers1, Alexander F Schier

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.

Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
|August 2, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Morphogen gradients guide tissue development by signaling molecule concentration. This review details how these gradients are formed, regulated, and interpreted by cells, influencing gene expression and cell fate.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Morphogens are crucial signaling molecules that establish concentration gradients within developing tissues.
  • These gradients dictate cell fates through concentration-dependent transcriptional responses.
  • Understanding morphogen gradient dynamics is key to comprehending tissue patterning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the fundamental concept of morphogens and their role in developmental patterning.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms governing morphogen gradient generation and modulation.
  • To discuss how cells interpret morphogen signals to achieve region-specific outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on morphogen signaling and gradient formation.
  • Analysis of diffusion and clearance models for morphogen distribution.
  • Examination of transcriptional regulation in response to morphogen concentration.

Main Results:

  • Morphogen gradients are established via diffusion from a source and clearance.
  • Cellular responses often involve linear transduction of morphogen levels.
  • Target gene expression depends on binding affinities and other regulatory inputs.

Conclusions:

  • Morphogen gradient interpretation is complex, influenced by concentration, exposure duration, and cell state.
  • Interactions between morphogens and tissues are critical for accurate patterning.
  • This review synthesizes current knowledge on morphogen gradient mechanisms.