Developmental Mechanisms Problem Set

Problem 2 Tutorial: Events that occur during gastrulation

What DOES NOT normally happen during gastrulation?

Tutorial

During gastrulation, cells move to new positions and form the germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm) but the embryo does not increase in size. Growth occurs after gastrulation.

In this animation of gastrulation in the sea urchin, notice that although the shape of the gastrula changes, its overall size remains the same.

The Biology Project
The University of Arizona
Thursday, October 30, 1997
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