Question

What is the difference between cell fate and cell determination in embryology and what could the molecular mechanisms for achieving such cell determination be? In your answer describe the order of events for cells in an embryo for: differentiation, cell fate, and determination?

Answer 1

As embryos mature, more complexfate determination occurs as structures appear, and cells differentiate, beginning to perform specific functions. Determination is followed by differentiation, the actual changes in biochemistry, structure, and function that result in specific cell types.

In some cases, determination results from the asymmetric segregation ofcellular determinants. However, in most cases, determination is the result of inductive signaling between cells. This results in two different daughter cells, which then take on different cell fates based on differences in gene expression.