MadSci Network: Development
Query:

Re: Does DNA information specify physical configuration of organs?

Date: Tue Sep 19 20:36:09 2000
Posted By: Joshua McElwee, Grad student, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington-Seattle
Area of science: Development
ID: 961615157.Dv
Message:

   You bet DNA specifies the size, shape, and location of all parts of our 
body.  Like you've said, DNA for the most part encodes proteins which can 
have many different functions.  Only a small part of the proteins in our 
body are actually structural..the kinds that are actually used to build 
tissues and organs and whatnot.  Among the other types of proteins are 
proteins that are morphogens, which are normally used to define the location 
that special tissues and organs will form at during development.  The size 
and shape of tissues are also dictated by proteins.  These can include 
proteins that allow cells to move, or form different connections with other 
cells, or all of the other things that go into making the shape/size/
function of an organ.  All of these things are encoded in the DNA.  
Hopefully this is good enough for a short answer.  If you'd like an example 
of a much more detailed organization event, the link provided tells some 
information about what initially sets up the axes in an embryo.  (What 
happens to change an egg into something that actually has a front vs. back, 
left vs. right, and head vs. tail.)  It's pretty dense stuff, but would be a 
good place to start.  Hope this helps.
 http://www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/MillHillEssays/1996/morphgen.htm




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