Question

Explain the role of axis formation in development.

a) To establish symmetry in organisms
b) To regulate gene expression
c) To control cell division
d) To initiate hormone production

Answer 1

Axis formation during development establishes the three-dimensional structure of the organism, defining symmetry and spatial organization.

Step-by-step explanation:

The role of axis formation in development is to establish the three primary axes of an organism: lateral-medial, dorsal-ventral, and anterior-posterior. This axis formation is crucial for creating symmetry in organisms and is genetically determined. Notably, such patterning events occur early in development, typically at the blastula stage, where essential body plans are established. The remarkable experiments by Spemann and Mangold reveal how transplanted dorsal cells in an embryo inherently possess the genetic information to produce a notochord and define an axis, leading to the indication that these cells and accompanying genes are inherently programmed for this particular developmental fate.