On the problem of biological form.

Area of Science:

• Developmental biology
• Evolutionary biology
• Mechanobiology

Background:

• Embryonic development inspired early theories of biological form.
• Developmental processes were later excluded from the Modern Synthesis.
• Recent advances question the compatibility of developmental biology with the standard evolutionary view.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether new advances in developmental biology align with or challenge the Modern Synthesis.
• To explore the role of different concepts of morphogenesis in this compatibility.
• To determine the implications for understanding biological form.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of morphogenesis theories.
• Comparison of chemically driven vs. mechanically driven morphogenesis.
• Evaluation of explanatory power within evolutionary frameworks.

Main Results:

• Chemically driven morphogenesis (genetic regulatory networks) can extend the Modern Synthesis.
• Mechanically driven morphogenesis (tissue mechanical stress restoration) may necessitate a theoretical transformation.
• The concept of morphogenesis significantly impacts compatibility with existing evolutionary theory.

Conclusions:

• The definition of morphogenesis is critical for reconciling developmental biology with evolutionary theory.
• Mechanically driven morphogenesis presents a significant challenge to the current understanding of biological form.
• The fundamental problem of biological form remains an open question.