Volume 4, Number 2, p. 64–73
The dynamic geometry of developing organisms
B.C. Goodwin
Schumacher College, Dartington, Devon, TQ9 6EA, UK
The systematic changes in morphology that developing organisms undergo arise from processes at all levels of activity: gene, molecule, cell, tissue and organ. The traditional description of such spatio-temporal order is the morphogenetic field. Principles that link these different levels into an autonomous dynamic process are described for both plant and animal development, and related to observed patterns of genetic and molecular activity. The value of such models in guiding research is emphasized.
Keywords: development, dynamics, geometry, morphogenetic field