The Joy that follows Sex! | Southern Genes

The Joy that follows Sex! | Southern Genes: "Embryogenesis begins with fertilization, with the sperm and egg merging to produce a new organism. Then the new cell begins the ancient chromosome square dance that produces two cells from one, then four from two and on and on. As the cells divide they begin to change, moving from cells that could become anything, to cells that have been sent along a pathway to eventually become liver cells, or brain cells, skin, bone or blood. Embryogenesis is self-organization, with the cells of the embryo programmed by its genes to become particular cell types, at particular times, in particular places. In the past, all we as scientists have been able to do is watch and wonder at this complexity."