Molecular Embryology
How Molecules Give Birth to Animals

Molecular Embryology explains in simple terms the molecular interactions that transform an egg to a complex embryo that in the end gives rise to a fully-formed animal. In doing so, the book covers one hundred and fifty years of experiments that have led to our present understanding of these molecular interactions. As the text progresses, the reader will gain a sense of the developmental similarities and differences between organisms. Students studying developmental biology and embryology will find this book an extremely useful introduction to the subject and will also appeal to anyone with an interest in the most recent advances in this largely undiscovered territory.

1. Growth of an Embryo is Founded on Repeated Cell Division 2. How an Embryo Acquires the Correct Shape as its Cells Divide 3. How Differences in Molecular Composition Between Embryonic Cells Originate 4. Signal Molecules Induce Changes in Cell Composition Throughout Vertebrate Development 5. Differences in Embryonic Cell Composition Result from Activation of Different Genes 6. Experiments of Drosophila Reveal that Specific Transcription Factors are Keys that Unlock Embryonic Genes.

Undergraduate

Michael J. Barry

This text is an effective introduction to the subject of developmental similarities and differences of organisms for students studying developmental biology and embryology of organisms.