Question

What is the mechanism by which developmental morphogens such as Sonic hedgehog control body patterning?

A By directly inducing gene expression
B By directly suppressing gene expression
C Through concentration gradients
D The order of expression of hedgehog genes relates to their position in the genome and determines body patterning
E By degrading proteins that suppress transcription

Answer 1

Developmental morphogens control body patterning through concentration gradients. These gradients provide positional information to cells and regulate gene expression to guide proper development.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sonic hedgehog and other developmental morphogens control body patterning through concentration gradients.

During development, morphogens are secreted by specific cells and form concentration gradients in the embryo. The morphogens diffuse away from their source and create different concentration levels across the developing tissue.

These concentration gradients act as a positional information system, where different concentrations of the morphogens correspond to different cell fates and patterns of gene expression. Cells in different regions of the embryo interpret these gradients and activate or suppress specific genes, leading to the appropriate development and patterning of body structures.