Multiple choice

In a newly discovered organism, normal development was unaffected when a few blastomeres were removed from 100-cell stage embryo. However, removal of five cells at the 1000-cell stage abolished the formation of kidney. Which one of the following options most accurately describes the type (s) of specification operating in the development of this organism?

  1. Conditional specification only

  2. Autonomous specification only

  3. Conditional and autonomous specifications

  4. Specification does not occur in this organism
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Conditional specification occurs when cell fate depends on interactions with neighboring cells, allowing for regulation if cells are removed. The fact that early removal has no effect, while later removal causes a defect, indicates that cells are not yet locked into a specific fate early on, which is characteristic of conditional specification.

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