Neuromere

Neuromere is a term used in Embryology to describe the transiently segmented organization of the vertebrate nervous system. The concept of neuromeres has been influential in the study of brain development and evolution, and has been incorporated into the prosomeric model of brain development.

Definition

A neuromere is a segment of the early developing nervous system. In the vertebrate embryo, the neural tube is transiently segmented into neuromeres. Each neuromere corresponds to a segment of the body, and the cells within a neuromere will give rise to specific regions of the nervous system in the adult organism.

History

The concept of neuromeres was first proposed by Wilhelm His in 1893. His proposed that the vertebrate brain could be divided into a series of neuromeres, each of which was a morphological and functional unit. This idea was controversial at the time, and has been the subject of ongoing debate.

Neuromeres and brain development

The concept of neuromeres has been influential in the study of brain development. According to the prosomeric model, the brain is organized into a series of neuromeres, each of which gives rise to specific regions of the adult brain. This model has been supported by studies showing that the expression of Hox genes and other developmental genes is segmented along the anterior-posterior axis of the neural tube.

Neuromeres and brain evolution

The concept of neuromeres has also been influential in the study of brain evolution. According to the neuromeric model, the brains of all vertebrates are organized into a common set of neuromeres, and differences in brain structure between species are due to changes in the development of these neuromeres.

See also

• Neural tube
• Brain development
• Brain evolution
• Hox genes
• Prosomeric model

References

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  The Prosomeric Model of the Vertebrate Central Nervous System

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  Schemata illustrating embryonic and adult location and abbreviations for neuromeres within the prosomeric model

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  Neuromere