ISSN:
0192-253X
Keywords:
wing size
;
miniature
;
cell size
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Genetics
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
To elucidate the mechanisms whereby genes and environment influence wing size, we investigated the effects of various rearing temperatures and larval crowding conditions on the wings of the mutant miniature and wild-type fruit flies. In adults we monitored wing size, cell number, wing thickness, cell density; in larval imaginal discs we looked for cell death. Cell density was inversely proportional to wing size. Of particular interest was the finding that smaller wings tend to be thicker. Electron microscope studies showed that the miniature wing layers are grossly abnormal. We hypothesize that these abnormalities are due to abnormal cell flattening of the wing epithelial cells, and we conclude that gene and environmental effects on cell flattening may be an important component in determining cell density and hence organ size.
Additional Material:
1 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dvg.1020080205
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