Autonomous specification is one mode of cell commitment.  Blastomeres are apportioned different amounts of cytoplasmic determinants based off of the non-homogenous distribution of these specifying factors in the egg that gave rise to the embryo.  Early blastomeres are already specified and determined to their fate, meaning that these cells "know" what to become without interacting with other cells.  

Autonomous Specification

Factors found within the egg cell cytoplasm that regulate gene expression.  These molecules, such as transcription factors, determine cell fate.  

Cytoplasmic Determinants

Determination is the second stage of commitment that results in a determined cell or tissue.  The determined state is irreversible, and the cell or tissue will proceed towards its given fate even when it is placed in a new environment.  Determination follows specification.  

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- differentiation
- commitment
- specification
- determination

Terminology of Developing Patterning

Specification is the first stage of commitment that results in a specified cell or tissue.  Specified cells or tissues can differentiate autonomously.  However, the cell commitment can be changed if the cell or tissue is translated to a population of cells that are differently specified.  Specification proceeds determination.  

Specification

Barresi, M. J., &amp; Gilbert, S. F. (2020). Developmental Biology (12th ed.). New York: Sinauer.

Developmental Biology (12th ed.)

The process where a cell stops dividing and develops its unique traits, including specialized structural elements and functional properties.  

Differentiation

The state in which a cell's fate has been determined even though it hasn't displayed changes in biochemistry and function yet.  Its fate has been restricted.  

Commitment

Determination

Conditional specification is one mode of cell commitment.  This process allows cells to gain their respective fates by interacting with other cells through juxtacrine factors, paracrine factors, and the physical properties of the cell's environment.  Conditional specification depends on conditions, including physical location.  

Conditional Specification

Syncytial specification is one mode of cell commitment that utilizes autonomous and conditional specification mechanisms.  It occurs in a cytoplasm that contains multiple nuclei, known as a syncytium.  The cytoplasm contains gradients that control cell fate along the egg cell's anterior-posterior axis.  As nuclei are positioned along the anterior-posterior axis after fertilization, they experience different concentrations of cytoplasmic determinants.  This interaction between the multiple nuclei and the differing amounts of determinants give rise to differing cell fates.  

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