Talk:Morphogenesis

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Contents 1 morphogenes 1.1 Morphogen 2 relation of morphogenesis to other parts of developmental biology 3 the morphogenesis of the species Drosophila melanogaster 3.1 Suggested main sections: 4 D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson 5 embryology 6 Projective geometry

[edit] morphogenes

"The morphogenes (proteins that control morphogenesis) that determine the fate of cells are proteins that interact with DNA."

Can you provide a source that defines the use of the term "morphogene"?

I found this: "morphogenes (previously known as morphogenic genes)" but I'm not sure that "morphogenic genes" has a clear meaning either.

The term suggests "morphogenesis". There are many proteins besides DNA-binding proteins that control morphogenesis.

I assume that "the fate of cells" means their differentiation. Again, I agree that there are DNA binding proteins that "determine the fate of cells" but there are also other proteins that do not bind DNA and play roles in the control of differentiation. The control of morphogenesis by DNA-binding proteins is indirect: there must be other proteins that leave the nucleus and actually make things happen outside the nucleus.

Maybe it should be, "Many of the morphogenes (proteins that control morphogenesis) that determine the fate of cells are proteins that interact with DNA."

[edit] Morphogen

I think that this is a mis-understanding of the term "morphogen" (without the last E). I have never heard of a "morphogenE", and if anyone ever used that term it is bound to get confused with "morphogen" which is a common concept in developmental biology. As morphogenEs are defined here, they are a very broad category of genes. Morphogens are specific molecules. I think we should eliminate any reference to morphogenE and replace it with morphogen, which can be defined either as "a molecule that provides positional information to cells", or with a more strict definition of "a molecule that forms a concentration gradient within the developing organism, by which the local concentration provides positional information to cells." I'll have to do a little research to see which definition is accurate. AdamRetchless 18:08, 4 Apr 2004 (UTC)

It appears that the more limited definition of morphogen is correct. According to Fly Move, "A morphogen is a diffusible signal produced in one part of the body, which can determine cell fates according to its local concentration." AdamRetchless

I feel much better about "morphogen". I vote that the morphogenesis page not even mention "morphogene". From the Gilbert textbook: "Cell fates may be specified by neighboring cells, but cell fates can also be specified by specific amounts of soluble molecules secreted at a distance from the target cells. Such a soluble molecule is called a morphogen, and a morphogen may specify more than one cell type by forming a concentration gradient." JWSchmidt 21:46, 4 Apr 2004 (UTC)

[edit] relation of morphogenesis to other parts of developmental biology

The developmental biology page gives a standard description of the parts of developmental biology, "...developmental biology studies the genetic control of cell growth, differentiation and morphogenesis."

It may be confusing for the reader to follow the link to "morphogenesis" and find this: "Morphogenesis.....describes the process of cellular differentiation, distribution and growth....which gives rise to tissues, organs and anatomy."

This is how the Gilbert text describes morphogenesis: "The question of morphogenesis. Our differentiated cells are not randomly distributed. Rather, they are organized into intricate tissues and organs. These organs are arranged in a given way: the fingers are always at the tips of our hands, never in the middle; the eyes are always in our heads, not in our toes or gut. This creation of ordered form is called morphogenesis. How can the cells form such ordered structures?" JWSchmidt 01:21, 17 Mar 2004 (UTC)

[edit] the morphogenesis of the species Drosophila melanogaster

There is no such thing as the morphogenesis of a species. What is actually described for Drosophila melanogaster is some of the key features of one basic developmental process, the establishment of the polarized body plan along the anterior-posterior axis.

I suspect that nobody is really concerned with the Morphogenesis page. It needs to be completely re-worked.

[edit] Suggested main sections:

• The role of the nucleus in the control of morphogenesis (could incorporate existing Drosophila example).
• Morphogenesis and Cell Adhesion.
• Morphogenesis during embryogenesis compared to metamorphosis and regeneration.
• A specific organ example: Limb morphogenesis (or heart). JWSchmidt 15:16, 30 Mar 2004 (UTC)

This sounds good. I think there should be a section about axis-determination. I think this would be better than focusing on the role of the nucleus. This is what the Drosophila information is really about. AdamRetchless 18:00, 4 Apr 2004 (UTC)

There could be a section on axis formation in mice or birds or frogs or fish.

[edit] D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson

Shouldnt this D'Arcy Thompson's contribution to the topic not be mentioned ? Shyamal 10:25, 1 Apr 2004 (UTC)

From Gilbert's textbook: Mathematical Modeling of Development

[edit] embryology

would sympathtic editors consider a positive vote here? [1]Slrubenstein | Talk 15:34, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Projective geometry

Why is there a link to Projective geometry in the article? Tbc2 12:36, 25 October 2006 (UTC)

at one time this was in the article: "More recently, Lawrence Edwards succeeded in applying the path curves of projective geometry to provide a rigorous mathematical description of biological forms such as eggs, buds and cones." --JWSchmidt 04:04, 26 October 2006 (UTC)