These careful measurements show that Bicoid mRNA itself forms a gradient, and is not simply a point source 5 . Its movement is dependent on the cytoskeleton, if the cytoskeleton is disrupted, the mRNA...These careful measurements show that Bicoid mRNA itself forms a gradient, and is not simply a point source 5 . Its movement is dependent on the cytoskeleton, if the cytoskeleton is disrupted, the mRNA gradient is also disrupted 6 . Evidence against this model comes from the finding that Bicoid protein at the posterior of the embryo is older than Bicoid protein at the anterior.
Cleavage stages of embryogenesis are typically very similar across animals. During cleavage, a single cell embryo rapidly divides to form a ball of cells, called a blastula. This ball may be hollow in...Cleavage stages of embryogenesis are typically very similar across animals. During cleavage, a single cell embryo rapidly divides to form a ball of cells, called a blastula. This ball may be hollow inside, have a hollow region, or be fairly solid. Gastrulation refers to a time of great flux in animal embryos. During gastrulation the cells produced during cleavage begin to move relative to each other. As they move, they change their local environment and come into contact with new cells.
