Order of Magnitude of Morphogenetic Forces

Abstract

THE experimental analysis of embryonic development has been mainly concerned with elucidating the chemical mechanisms which cause different parts of the egg to develop into the organs and tissues of which the adult is composed. Much less is known about the physical forces which cause the changes in relative position which are such an important part of the developmental process. Preliminary measurements were therefore made of some of the physical magnitudes associated with the process of gastrulation in the eggs of the newt Triton alpestris.