Final answer:
The location of a cell in a developing embryo is vital for cell differentiation as it determines the cell's future structure and function by regulating gene expression. Organs and tissues arise from germ layers, with the ectoderm giving rise to skin and nervous system, and mesoderm to muscle tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The location of a cell in a developing embryo plays a critical role in cell differentiation. Differentiation is the process by which a zygote's unspecialized cells become specialized to perform different functions as a result of gene expression regulation. Specifically, different cell layers of the embryo such as ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm differentiate into various organs and tissues through orchestrated signaling cascades and gene expression patterns. The ectoderm, for example, differentiates into the skin and nervous system, while the mesoderm develops into muscle tissues among other structures.
During organogenesis and cellular differentiation, certain transcription factor proteins bind to DNA, influencing the transcription and expression of genes specific to the cell type they will become. Exposure to harmful agents during critical periods of differentiation can be particularly damaging because the foundational layout for the organism's structures and functions is being established, making it a sensitive phase for the developing embryo.