Homeobox (Noun)
Meaning
One of various similar homeotic genes that are involved in bodily segmentation during embryonic development.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The expression of a specific homeobox gene in the embryo determines the fate of a group of cells, influencing their differentiation into particular segments of the body.
- In embryonic development, the coordinated expression of multiple homeobox genes is crucial for the formation of body structures such as limbs, vertebrae, and organs.
- A mutation in a homeobox gene can result in aberrant segmentation patterns, leading to developmental abnormalities in the affected individual.
- The study of homeobox gene expression in model organisms like Drosophila has greatly contributed to our understanding of body patterning during embryogenesis.
- Researchers have found that the expression of a specific homeobox gene in neural stem cells helps to regulate the development of brain regions in vertebrate embryos.