Activator-Inhibitor. A Model of Biological Pattern Formation

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Description: In the development of higher organisms, pattern forming reactions must be involved. In the movie, a yet hypothetical two-component reaction is analysed which is able to generate patterns. Computer simulations made on the basis of two coupled non-linear differential equations show the time course and the regulatory properties of this reaction.
Duration: 13 mins 16 secs
Director: Hans Meinhardt (Tübingen); Alfred Gierer (Tübingen)
Credits: Year of publication: 1985
Year: 1984
Subjects: Cell biology
Segment 1: Just as higher organisms develop characteristics which are not in the fertilised egg, so deep valleys are formed by rain which is evenly distributed over the landscape. This is because small variations have an effect which self-amplifies. How this process occurs is shown with graphs, graphics and formulae.
Segment 2: Computer simulations of the patterns that can occur. Initiation of Pattern Fomation by Random Fluctuation. Regeneration with Polarity Reversal. Induction of a Second Activator Maximum. Unspecific Induction by Inhibitor Removal. Oscillator Patterns Generated by a Long-Living Inhibitor.
Segment 3: Chemotactic Orientation of a Cell. Generation of a Gradient in a Two-Dimensional Field. Periodic Patterns in Extended Fields. Formation of Regular Patterns During Growth: Phyllotaxis. Credits.
Persistent URL: http://edina.ac.uk/purl/isan/0014-0000-3412-0000-0-0000-0000-0
Written and compiled by the British Universities Film & Video Council © BUFVC 2005
Subject classification by University of Edinburgh Library © 2006