Nice post :)
If genes determine morphogens and their gradients then why do monoplacental and monozygotic(identical twins who shared the same maternal environment and same genes) have different fingerprints? Or for that matter why don't arteries bifurcate at the same length in these twins?
Hmm , probaby because fingerprints and arteries are not entirely determined by genetics.
Everything about your body is determined by genetics. You are essentially a bag of skin and bones coded by a set of genes, possessing a self-rewiring processing unit.
Of course fingerprints develop because of a different reason, but I don't know about blood vessels.
You are correct. Though there is strong heritability component when it comes to pattern type, size and spacing of skin ridges. But yes not entirely genetically determined when it comes to minute details such as branching of ridges, breaks etc. And what could make that different?
I guess because both are procedurally generated, so in the case of your hands womb fluids, hand growth rate, hand orientation matter. And in the case of arteries/veins I guess they are determined by hormonal paths just like how tumors direct the blood flow to them. In both cases there would be a high sensitivity on initial conditions due to underlying physics.
I cheated a bit since just now I watched this video ->
Initial conditions is the word I was looking for indeed. Sent 2 sbi shares.
Thankies :)