Development of multicellular organism

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the development of multicellular organisms, focusing on the processes involved in cellular differentiation and complexity. Participants explore examples from the nematode worm C. elegans and the fruit fly Drosophila, discussing genetic mechanisms, cellular interactions, and the role of introns and exons in gene expression.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the development of C. elegans, noting the role of asymmetric cell division and the HOX complex in determining cell fate and complexity.
  • Another participant suggests the possibility of single-celled organisms integrating into multicellular structures, influencing genetic and morphological traits.
  • A question is raised about the relationship between introns and exons and their potential roles in differentiation, with a focus on whether they become dormant after certain stages.
  • Another participant explains the function of introns and exons, emphasizing that introns are non-coding regions that can mediate alternative splicing, but they do not directly influence differentiation.
  • Further inquiry is made into whether introns and exons could be involved in pleiotropic effects, suggesting a connection to broader genetic implications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the role of introns and exons in differentiation, with some asserting they are not directly related, while others explore their potential implications. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact influence of these genetic elements on multicellular development.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about the roles of introns and exons, as well as the implications of pleiotropy, which are not fully explored or agreed upon.

  • #31
btw, that exerpt came from Alberts et al, Molecular biology of the cell.
 
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  • #32
Originally poste by Monique (Phonetic engineer?)
(SNIP) Also very interesting, there are ALWAYS 131 cells that commit suicide of the 1030 somatic cells in the worm. (SNoP)
That is kinda interesting.
In my viewing of television I had also seen someone playout the sequence of someones DNA on a piano..."phonetics engineering" anyone? (It's sort of just a thought...)
 
  • #33
Well, isn't that interesting? I am not sure where that comment came from, but anyway: I'd wonder how long it would take to play the sequence of ACGTs and where the T lies on the piano, how the person dealt with methylated bases, mis-matched bases, dimerized thymines, depurinations, missing nucleotides and the boring long stretches of GC islands.
 
  • #34
Originally posted by Monique
Well, isn't that interesting? I am not sure where that comment came from, but anyway: I'd wonder how long it would take to play the sequence of ACGTs and where the T lies on the piano, how the person dealt with methylated bases, mis-matched bases, dimerized thymines, depurinations, missing nucleotides and the boring long stretches of GC islands.
"Selective quotation"...I would suppose...
 
  • #35
Originally posted by Monique

Also very interesting, there are ALWAYS 131 cells that commit suicide of the 1030 somatic cells in the worm.

not always just 131, but always THE SAME 131!
 
  • #36
Originally posted by cryo
not always just 131, but always THE SAME 131!
Cheese, you make it sound difficult to understand, needed the 131 to construct itself, and didn't need them thereafter, soooo in a VERY energy efficient manner, it eliminated that which it no longer had use for. After all, why keep cells, that are no longer of any use, FED!
 
  • #37
But if I understand the processes of evolution, an organism can't "eliminate" cells just because there is no more use for them. There has to be an adaptive gradient for them to go. Some reason that organisms without them leave more viable descendents than those with them.
 
  • #38
Originally posted by selfAdjoint
But if I understand the processes of evolution, an organism can't "eliminate" cells just because there is no more use for them. Why Not?[/color] There has to be an adaptive gradient for them to go. Yes, less energy! not having to feed them[/color] Some reason that organisms without them leave more viable descendents than those with them. Construction (team) of a self replicating organism as to be able to leave the viable descendents[/color]
Simply a structural mechanism, like having carpenters build you a house, then they leave, in this case, the cells, they die.

Think about it, life was given, cells died, just so you could be formed, and live.
 

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