Principles of Development

by Wolpert, Lewis; Beddington, Rosa; Brockes, Jeremy; Jessell, Thomas; Lawrence, Peter; Meyerowitz, Elliot

• ISBN13: 9780198502630
• ISBN10: 019850263X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-12-04
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Developmental biology is at the core of all biology. It deals with the processes by which the genes in the fertilized egg control cell behavior in the embryo and so determine its pattern, its form, and much of its behavior. The progress in developmental biology in recent years, with the applications of advances in cell and molecular biology, has been remarkable, and an enormous amount of information is now available. Designed for undergraduates, Principles of Development emphasizes basic principles and key concepts in developmental biology. Central to the authors' approach is the idea that development can best be understood by analyzing how genes control cell behavior. They have assumed that students have some basic familiarity with cell biology and genetics, but all key concepts, like the control of gene activity, are explained in the text. The authors have resisted the temptation to cover every aspect of development and have instead focused on those systems that best illuminate common principles, demonstrating throughout the book that there are universal principles governing development. The focus of the text is on vertebrates and Drosophila, but not to the exclusion of other systems, such as the nematode and the sea urchin, where they best illustrate a concept. An important feature of the book is the inclusion of the development of plants, a topic that has some unique and significant attributes but one that is usually neglected in other texts. Principles are presented clearly and numerous summaries are provided, both in words and in pictures. The illustrations in the book have been carefully designed and chosen to illustrate both experiments and mechanisms.

Table of Contents

Preface	v	(4)
List of headings	ix	(6)
Text acknowledgments	xv	(1)
Figure acknowledgments	xvi
Chapter 1: History and Basic Concepts	1-22	(21)
The Origins of developmental biology.	3	(6)
A conceptual tool kit.	9	(14)
Chapter 2: Model Systems	23-60	(37)
Model organisms: vertebrates.	25	(18)
Model organisms: invertebrates.	43	(6)
Model systems: plants.	49	(3)
Identifying developmental genes.	52	(9)
Chapter 3: Patterning the Vertebrate Body Plan I: Axes and Germ Layers	61-96	(35)
Setting up the body axes.	63	(12)
The origin and specification of the germ layers.	75	(22)
Chapter 4: Patterning the Vertebrate Body Plan II: The Mesoderm and Early Nervous System	97-124	(27)
Somite formation and patterning.	98	(12)
The role of the organizer region and neural induction.	110	(15)
Chapter 5: Development of the Drosophila Body Plan	125-170	(45)
Maternal genes set up the body axes.	127	(9)
Polarization of the body axes during oogenesis.	136	(3)
Zygotic genes pattern the early embryo.	139	(7)
Segmentation: activation of the pair-rule genes.	146	(4)
Segment polarity genes and compartments	150	(11)
Segmentation: selector and homeotic genes.	161	(10)
Chapter 6: Development of Invertebrates, Ascidians, and Slime Molds	171-202	(31)
Nematodes.	173	(7)
Molluscs.	180	(3)
Annelids.	183	(3)
Echinoderms	186	(7)
Ascidians.	193	(3)
Cellular slime molds.	196	(7)
Chapter 7: Plant Development	203-230	(27)
Embryonic development.	204	(9)
Meristems.	213	(8)
Flower development.	221	(10)
Chapter 8: Morphogenesis: Change in Form in the Early Embryo	231-268	(37)
Cell adhesion.	232	(3)
Cleavage and formation of the blastula.	235	(7)
Gastrulation.	242	(12)
Neural tube formation.	254	(2)
Cell migration.	256	(6)
Directed dilation.	262	(7)
Chapter 9: Cell Differentiation	269-302	(33)
The reversibility and inheritance of patterns of gene activity.	271	(10)
Control of specific gene expression.	281	(6)
Models of cell differentiation.	287	(16)
Chapter 10: Organogenesis	303-338	(35)
The development of the chick limb.	304	(16)
Insect imaginal discs.	320	(8)
The insect compound eye.	328	(4)
The nematode vulva.	332	(2)
Development of the kidney.	334	(5)
Chapter 11: Development of the Nervous System	339-370	(31)
Specification of cell identity in the nervous system.	340	(12)
Axonal guidance.	352	(8)
Neuronal survival, synapse formation, and refinement.	360	(11)
Chapter 12: Germ Cells and Sex	371-398	(27)
Determination of the sexual phenotype.	372	(10)
The development of germ cells.	382	(8)
Fertilization.	390	(9)
Chapter 13: Regeneration	399-416	(17)
Morphallaxis.	401	(4)
Epimorphosis.	405	(12)
Chapter 14: Growth and Post-Embryonic Development	417-442	(25)
Growth.	418	(14)
Molting and metamorphosis.	432	(5)
Aging and senescence.	437	(6)
Chapter 15: Evolution and Development	443-462	(19)
Modification of development in evolution.	444	(12)
Changes in the timing of developmental processes during evolution.	456	(7)
Glossary	463-470	(7)
Index	471-485	(14)