Question

1. What is the general strategy used by organisms to ensure all adult structures are generated in the correct locations? Explain how it works.

2. I predict that changes in cadherin expression are important for organ formation. Why might I predict that?

3. Explain how the nervous system is formed include general strategies used to pattern the developing vertebrate nervous system and ensure all the correct neurons are generated.

Answer 1

Answer 1:

The general strategy used by organisms to ensure that all adult structures are generated in the correct location is via expression of a group of master regulatory genes, called hox genes. These genes when expressed in different locations of the embryo, act as transcription factors. They can activate or deactivate the expression of a different set of genes in DNA. When activated, these newly activated genes then go on to activate the development of specific body parts.

In short, the hoxt genes products act as transcription factors to activate or repress the expression of other genes involved in development of specific body parts in the correct location.