In vulval development in Caenorhabditis elegans (a soil nematode), the progenitor cell nearest to the anchor cell is exposed to the highest concentration of epidermal growth factor and activation of its EGF receptor promotes type 1 cell differentiation. The type 1 cell then prevents type 1 differentiation in adjacent progenitor cells, a mechanism called:
A)lateral inhibition.
B)hierarchical control.
C)combinatorial control.
D)downstream element inhibition.
E)loss-of-function mutation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mechanism described in the question, where a differentiated cell inhibits the differentiation of adjacent cells, is known as lateral inhibition. This mechanism is commonly seen in developmental processes such as neurogenesis and in this case, vulval development in C. elegans.

In Vulval Development in Caenorhabditis Elegans (A Soil Nematode), the Progenitor