Developmental Biology
Developmental Biology
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781605354705
Author: Scott F. Gilbert, Michael J. F. Barresi
Publisher: Sinauer Associates is an imprint of Oxford University Press
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 2, Problem 1DQ
Summary Introduction

To review:

On the basis of localization of Macho mRNA in the tunicate embryo, establishment of distribution of a specific mRNA from cell biological perspective.

Introduction:

Conklin demonstrated differing coloration of cytoplasmic regions of tunicate embryo Styela partita to follow each of the cells of the tunicate embryo to its fate in the larva. Conklin found that cells receiving clear cytoplasm become ectoderm; those containing yellow cytoplasm give rise to mesodermal cells; those that incorporate slate-gray inclusions become endoderm; and light gray cells become the neural tube and notochord.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

J.R. Whittaker in 1973 conducted an experiment on the cytoplasmic segregation of tissue determinants in early tunicate embryos. He found that when the pair of B4.1 blastomeres were removed and kept in isolation gave rise to muscle tissues while no other blastomeres were able to give rise to muscle tissue. The yellow-pigmented cytoplasm contains mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) for a muscle-specific transcription factor known as Macho. The blastomeres containing region of yellow cytoplasm give rise to muscle cells.

The primary function of Macho mRNA is development of tail muscle in Styela; removal of Macho mRNA results in the loss of tail muscle differentiation of the B4.1 blastomeres, the microinjection of Macho mRNA into different blastomeres promotes ectopic muscle division.

Conclusion

Therefore, it is concluded that Macho mRNA plays essential role in development of tail muscles of tunicates by retaining Macho mRNA from the egg cytoplasm with each round of mitosis.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
You aim to test the hypothesis that the Tbx4 and Tbx5 genes inhibit each other's expression during limb development. With access to chicken embryos and viruses capable of overexpressing Tbx4 and Tbx5, describe an experiment to investigate whether these genes suppress each other's expression in the limb buds. What results would you expect if they do repress each other? What results would you expect if they do not repress each other?
You decide to delete Fgf4 and Fgf8 specifically in the limb bud. Explain why you would not knock out these genes in the entire embryo instead.
You implant an FGF10-coated bead into the anterior flank of a chicken embryo, directly below the level of the wing bud. What is the phenotype of the resulting ectopic limb?  Briefly describe the expected expression domains of 1) Shh, 2) Tbx4, and 3) Tbx5 in the resulting ectopic limb bud.

Chapter 2 Solutions

Developmental Biology

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biomedical Instrumentation Systems
Chemistry
ISBN:9781133478294
Author:Chatterjee
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
3-2-1 Code It
Biology
ISBN:9781337660549
Author:GREEN
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Basic Clinical Laboratory Techniques 6E
Biology
ISBN:9781133893943
Author:ESTRIDGE
Publisher:Cengage
Mitochondrial mutations; Author: Useful Genetics;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvgXe-3RJeU;License: CC-BY