Chapter 2 Chapter Outline

Specifying Identity: Mechanisms of Developmental Patterning

Levels of Commitment

  • Cell differentiation
  • Cell fate maturation

Autonomous Specification

  • Cytoplasmic determinants and autonomous specification in the tunicate

Conditional Specification

  • Cell position matters: Conditional specification in the sea urchin embryo

Syncytial Specification

  • Opposing axial gradients define position
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