Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
09:17
Whole-mount Clearing and Staining of Arabidopsis Flower Organs and Siliques
Published on: April 12, 2018
Functional mapping of ontogeny in flowering plants
Xiyang Zhao1, Chunfa Tong, Xiaoming Pang
1National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Briefings in Bioinformatics
|December 6, 2011
Summary
This study revises functional mapping to track genetic control of developmental growth from embryo to adult. The model reveals how genetic architecture of growth changes across ontogeny, providing a comprehensive view of developmental processes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Quantitative genetics
- Plant science
Background:
- Organisms undergo complex developmental changes throughout their lifespan (ontogeny).
- Understanding the genetic basis of these sequential transitions is crucial for developmental biology.
- Existing models often focus on specific developmental stages rather than the entire process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To revise the functional mapping statistical model to encompass the entire ontogenetic growth process.
- To provide a framework for reconciling the genetic architecture of development across different life stages.
- To elucidate the changing genetic control mechanisms from simple to complex levels during growth.
Main Methods:
- Revision of the functional mapping statistical model.
- Application of the model to an annual flowering plant as a case study.
- Mapping genes and their interactions involved in both embryonic and postembryonic growth.
Main Results:
- The revised functional mapping model successfully integrates genetic data across the entire ontogeny.
- Demonstrated the gradual shift in genetic control from early embryonic to later developmental stages.
- Identified specific genes and interactions underlying developmental transitions in the model plant.
Conclusions:
- The revised model offers a comprehensive framework for studying the genetic control of ontogenetic growth.
- It provides insights into how genetic architecture evolves throughout an organism's development.
- This tool can be adapted for studying developmental genetics in various organisms, including other plants.
Related Concept Videos
02:19Morphogenesis
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.
02:39The Angiosperm Life Cycle
Plants have a life cycle split between two multicellular stages: a haploid stage—with cells containing one set of chromosomes—and a diploid stage—with cells containing two sets of chromosomes. The haploid stage is the gamete-producing gametophyte, and the diploid stage is the spore-producing sporophyte.
02:33Seed Structure and Early Development of the Sporophyte
Seed structures are composed of a protective seed coat surrounding a plant embryo, and a food store for the developing embryo. The embryo contains the precursor tissues for leaves, stem, and roots. The endosperm and cotyledons—seed leaves—act as the food reserves for the growing embryo.
01:58Fruit Development, Structure, and Function
Fruits form from a mature flower ovary. As seeds develop from the ovules contained within, the ovary wall undergoes a series of complex changes to form fruit. In some fruits, such as soybeans, the ovary wall dries; in other fruits, such as grapes, it remains fleshy. In some cases, organs other than the ovary contribute to fruit formation; such fruits are called accessory fruits.
01:51Determination
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...
02:26Non-vascular Seedless Plants
The diverse plant life on Earth—consisting of nearly 400,000 species—can be divided into three broad categories based on biological characteristics: nonvascular, seedless vascular, and seed plants.