Published May 14, 2009
| Version v1
Journal article
Possible mechanisms for initiating macroscopic left-right asymmetry in developing organisms
Creators
- 1. Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-2501 (United States)
Description
How might systematic left-right (L/R) asymmetry of the body plan originate in multicellular animals (and plants)? Somehow, the microscopic handedness of biological molecules must be brought up to macroscopic scales. Basic symmetry principles suggest that the usual 'biological' mechanisms - diffusion and gene regulation - are insufficient to implement the 'right-hand rule' defining a third body axis from the other two. Instead, on the cellular level, 'physical' mechanisms (forces and collective dynamic states) are needed involving the long stiff fibers of the cytoskeleton. I discuss some possible scenarios; only in the case of vertebrate internal organs is the answer currently known (and even that is in dispute).
Additional details
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1063/1.3149499;
- arXiv
- arXiv:0811.0055v2;
Publishing Information
- Journal Title
- AIP Conference Proceedings
- Journal Volume
- 1134
- Journal Issue
- 1
- Journal Page Range
- p. 54-62
- ISSN
- 0094-243X
- CODEN
- APCPCS
Conference
- Title
- Landau memorial conference on advances in theoretical physics
- Dates
- 22-26 Jun 2008
- Place
- Chernogolovka (Russian Federation)
INIS
- Country of Publication
- United States
- Country of Input or Organization
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- INIS RN
- 41052600
- Subject category
- S60: APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES;
- Resource subtype / Literary indicator
- Conference
- Descriptors DEI
- ASYMMETRY; BIOPHYSICS; DIFFUSION; GENE REGULATION; MICROTUBULES; ORGANS; PLANTS; PROTEINS; SYMMETRY; SYMMETRY BREAKING; VERTEBRATES
- Descriptors DEC
- ANIMALS; BODY; CELL CONSTITUENTS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; PHYSICS
Optional Information
- Notes
- (c) 2009 American Institute of Physics