Glossary
Actin
A protein abundantly present in many cells, especially muscle cells, that significantly contributes to the cell's structure and motility.
—————
Active transformation model
A model of neural induction where an initially entirely anterior neural plate is induced followed by other signals labelling more posterior cells with a posterior fate.
—————
Activin
A polypeptide growth factor that is synthesized in the pituitary gland and the gonads and stimulates the secretion of follicle stimulating hormone. It also has a role in neural development.
—————
Anencephaly
A lethal birth defect characterized by the absence of all or part of the skull and scalp and malformation of the brain.
—————
Animal hemisphere
The hemisphere of the ovum in which the nucleus resides.
—————
Anterior endoderm
The first cells of the axial mesoderm to migrate beneath the ectoderm during gastrulation.
—————
Apical constriction
The shape change that occurs in epithelial cells of the neural tube from a relatively flat epithelial cell to a wedge shaped cell to allow folding of the neural tube.
—————
Apical surface
The surface of the cell membrane that faces the lumen.
—————
Axial mesoderm
The organiser region of the embryo self differentiates into a structure known as the axial mesoderm. This then migrates beneath the ectoderm to induce neural cell fate.
—————
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs)
A group of growth factors and cytokines known for their ability to induce the formation of bone and cartilage.