1. a substance that influences the development and differentiation of cells and tissues by forming concentration gradients
Usage: biology; developmental biology

Examples

• The morphogen gradient determines which cells will become wing tissue in the developing fly.
• Scientists discovered that this protein acts as a morphogen during embryonic development.
• Different concentrations of the morphogen signal cells to form distinct body segments.
• The research team studied how morphogens control pattern formation in vertebrates.
• Disrupting the morphogen pathway led to developmental abnormalities in the laboratory mice.
• The morphogen diffuses from its source to create a concentration gradient across the tissue.