Final answer:
Yes, bicoid mRNA forms a gradient during embryonic development in fruit flies.
Step-by-step explanation:
During oogenesis, bicoid mRNA is localized at the anterior end of the developing egg. After fertilization, the bicoid mRNA is translated into protein and forms a concentration gradient along the anterior-posterior axis of the embryo.
The concentration of bicoid protein is highest at the anterior end and decreases towards the posterior end. This concentration gradient provides positional information that helps to establish the different body segments and structures along the anterior-posterior axis of the embryo.