2005/02/25 by Rui Dilao, Dilao, Rui
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Cell Behavior (q-bio.CB) #FOS: Biological sciences #q-bio.CB
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.q-bio/0502041
22 pages, 11 figures
arxiv created 2005/02/25 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
Morphogenesis is the ensemble of processes that determines form, shape and patterns in organisms. Based on a reaction-diffusion theoretical setting and some prototype reaction schemes, we make a review of the models and experiments that support possible mechanisms of morphogenesis. We present specific case studies from chemistry (Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction) and biology (formation of wing eyespots patterns in butterflies). We show the importance of conservation laws in the establishment of patterning in biological systems, and their relevance to explain phenotypic plasticity in living organisms. Mass conservation introduces a memory effect in biological development and phenotypic plasticity in patterns of living organisms can be explained by differences on the initial conditions occurring during development.