Molecular shaping of the beak.
Level III
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 15353803.
- Also identified by PMC identifier 4380220.
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Abstract
Beak shape is a classic example of evolutionary diversification. Beak development in chicken and duck was used to examine morphological variations among avian species. There is only one proliferative zone in the frontonasal mass of chickens, but two in ducks. These growth zones are associated with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) activity. By "tinkering" with BMP4 in beak prominences, the shapes of the chicken beak can be modulated.
Medical subject headings
- Beak
- Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
- Chick Embryo
- Ducks