HOMEOBOX
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 1569 ▶ |
| Object type | Discipline oriented |
A set of ordered and interacting segmentation genes which commands the also ordered differenciation and development of animals.
Such genes are called homoetic because each one is associated with some specific way of biological structuration , as for example produce a leg.
Homeoboxes are a very general feature of biological organization, from small invertebrates to insects and vertebrates, conveying a quite similar basic plan. They provide potential positional information .
Stephen DAY writes: “The amount of positional information builds up during the development of the embryo . Eventually the positional information is so complex that very small groups of cells , destined to become a particular part of the body, can be distinguished” (1999, p.4)
The homeobox is thus a basic “social organizer ” proper to complex biological systems. A parallelism with pheromones in insect societies and values in human societies could be usefully researched.
Note: Some authors write “Homoeobox” in lieu of “homoebox” or “ homeobox”
Homeoboxes, as specific ordered sequences of bases in developmental genes sequences, are now being closely studied (E. H. DAVIDSON & al, 1995).
It would be interesting to try to investigate the possible uses of this model to study psycho-sociological constraints in the growth and stabilization of all kind of societies, including the human ones.
See also
Regulation (Developmental)