Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026
07:53
Single Cell Fate Mapping in Zebrafish
Published on: October 5, 2011
16.5K
Cell lineages and fate maps in tunicates: conservation and modification
11 Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan.
Zoological Science
|October 7, 2014
Summary
Comparing early embryo development in ascidians and appendicularians reveals conserved cell fate maps despite differing cleavage patterns and cell lineages. This suggests evolutionary flexibility in early development while maintaining chordate characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Comparative Embryology
Background:
- Comparative analysis of early embryonic features aids in understanding developmental mechanisms and evolutionary processes.
- Ascidians and appendicularians are key model organisms for studying chordate development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cleavage patterns, cell lineage trees, and fate maps of ascidian and appendicularian embryos.
- To infer evolutionary conservation and divergence in early chordate development.
Main Methods:
- Side-by-side comparison of detailed cell lineage trees and fate maps.
- Analysis of cleavage patterns in ascidian and appendicularian embryos.
Main Results:
- Significant differences observed in cleavage patterns and cell lineage trees between ascidians and appendicularians.
- Remarkably conserved fate maps found in both species, extending to vertebrates.
- Early developmental modifications (cleavage, lineage) can occur without altering fundamental fate maps.
Conclusions:
- Chordate fate maps are highly conserved, suggesting strong evolutionary constraints on early developmental patterning.
- Evolutionary changes in cleavage and cell lineages are possible without drastic alterations to the overall fate map.
- Understanding cell lineage provides insights into evolutionary origins, such as the vertebrate neural crest.
Related Concept Videos
01:51Determination
16.3K
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...
16.3K
01:56Gastrulation
52.6K
Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata...
52.6K
01:21Lineage Commitment
3.4K
Commitment is the process whereby stem cells:
3.4K
01:10Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation
6.0K
The development of all multicellular organisms starts with the fusion of haploid cells called sperm and egg to form a diploid zygote. A zygote is a totipotent cell that can develop into a complete organism. The zygote undergoes cell division or cleavage to form an 8-cell mass. Until this stage, the cells are spherical, loosely attached, and remain totipotent. Totipotent cells are capable of developing both the embryonic and the extraembryonic tissues. However, as they continue to divide, they...
6.0K