Analysis of Biological Development

About this book

This text presents developmental biology as an ongoing process of enquiry, giving students a sense of the ways developmental biologists gain knowledge and a taste of the challenges ahead. The first part of the text focuses on the classical methods of analysis and the stages of embryonic development from gametogenesis to histogenesis. Part two introduces the genetic and molecular analysis of development. The final part combines classical and modern types of analysis towards the investigation of long standing problems in development. Key experiments are described throughout to reinforce the relationship between scientific models and experimental data.

Contents

Part 1 From gametogenesis to histogenesis: analysis of development; the role of cells in development; gametogenesis; fertilization; cleavage; cell fate, potency and determination; genomic equivalence and the cytoplasmic environment; localized cytoplasmic determinants; axis formation and mesoderm induction; gastrulation; cell adhesion and morphogenesis; organogenesis; ectodermal organs; endodermal and mesodermal organs. Part 2 Control of gene expression in development: the use of mutants and transgenic organisms in the analysis of development; transcriptional control; RNA processing; translational control and post-translational modifications; genetic and paragenetic information. Part 3 Current topics in developmental biology: cell differentiation; pattern formation and embryonic fields; genetic and molecular analysis of pattern formation in the drosophila embryo; genetic and molecular analysis of vertebrate development; genetic and molecular analysis of pattern formation in plants; experimental and genetic analysis of caenorhabditis elegans development; sex determination; hormonal control of development; organismic growth and oncogenes.

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