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Models for the ontogenetic development of higher organisms

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Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Volume 80

Part of the book series: Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology ((REVIEWS,volume 80))

Abstract

It was our intention to show that the emergence of pattern during development can be explained by relatively simple coupled biochemical interactions. All the ingredients used, mutual activation and inhibition of biochemical reactions, and of course diffusion, are known to exist in other biochemical systems. An explanation of a variety of phenomena can be given without the addition of unreasonable assumptions. Even if a biochemical proof of the existence of such pattern-forming mechanisms must wait for future investigation, the calculations have shown the consistency of the theory. For the insect and leaf organization, many models initially taken into consideration turned out to be unable to account quantitatively for the experimental observations in the computer simulations. But conversely, after a model consistent with the initially chosen experiments was found, such a model frequently could also account for phenomena for which it was not originally designed. This is, of course, not a proof of the model but suggests that it has something to do with what is realized in development.

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  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Virusforschung, Spemannstrafße 35, 7400, Tübingen, FRG

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Meinhardt, H. (1978). Models for the ontogenetic development of higher organisms. In: Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Volume 80. Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, vol 80. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3540084665_2

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