- #1
icakeov
- 379
- 27
Hi I have a pretty specific question.
It is in regards to tissues in multicellular organisms.
Is there any information on how different cell grouping arose in multicellular organisms?
I have some ideas from what I've so far read and learned:
- Would this have happened because two different types of cells "met" and decided to collaborate? This would be similar to the mitochondria example, the difference being of course, that mitochondria retained their DNA. In this scenario, the two cell types would have had to somehow share their reproductive cell's DNA.
An extension to this question: if this indeed might have been what happened, then, would it have happened at the stages when all cells were still multicellular, or would it have been somehow possible to have two multicellular organisms to "meet" and have their reproductive cells mix DNA. (This seems unlikely to me)
- Another scenario would be that that a a multicellular organism that would have initially been consisted of only the same cells started having specific gene mutations in the reproductive cells. These new genes would then start coding for a bit different types of cells in one area of the organism. For example, if certain cell mutation would have ended making them absorb nutrients more efficiently than the cells on the other side of the organism? And same for waste removal. And then we're of to the races. I guess this goes along with the concept of stem cell, cell differentiation and epigenetics, so I am more inclined this might be the more accurate picture.
Any feedback would be welcome! :)
It is in regards to tissues in multicellular organisms.
Is there any information on how different cell grouping arose in multicellular organisms?
I have some ideas from what I've so far read and learned:
- Would this have happened because two different types of cells "met" and decided to collaborate? This would be similar to the mitochondria example, the difference being of course, that mitochondria retained their DNA. In this scenario, the two cell types would have had to somehow share their reproductive cell's DNA.
An extension to this question: if this indeed might have been what happened, then, would it have happened at the stages when all cells were still multicellular, or would it have been somehow possible to have two multicellular organisms to "meet" and have their reproductive cells mix DNA. (This seems unlikely to me)
- Another scenario would be that that a a multicellular organism that would have initially been consisted of only the same cells started having specific gene mutations in the reproductive cells. These new genes would then start coding for a bit different types of cells in one area of the organism. For example, if certain cell mutation would have ended making them absorb nutrients more efficiently than the cells on the other side of the organism? And same for waste removal. And then we're of to the races. I guess this goes along with the concept of stem cell, cell differentiation and epigenetics, so I am more inclined this might be the more accurate picture.
Any feedback would be welcome! :)