Author(s)

Boris F. Chadov, Nina B. Fedorova

Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation.

The genes referred to as ontogenes are responsible for conditional mutations. Based on the results of the research of conditional mutations in D. melanogaster, we attempt to figure out the biological role of ontogenes. We conclude that ontogenes in the process of individual development control the construction of the living organisms of cells (cellular construction), which comprises the induction of cell division, determination of division plane, and the location of daughter cells after the division is completed. The process of morphogenesis consists of cellular construction and protein synthesis. Protein synthesis is controlled by protein-coding (Mendelian) genes. Mendelian genes are switched on by ontogenes. In terms of the two-component genome composed of Mendelian genes and ontogenes, we consider 1) the concept of biological character; 2) interspecific incompatibility; 3) ontogenesis; 4) phylogenesis; and 5) mutagenesis. Ontogenes, which control cellular construction, possess the specific features unusual for Mendelian genes, namely, 1) the activity in germ line tissue; 2) remote interaction; and 3) activity in a compacted state (heterochromatization). These specific features of ontogenes suggest that unlike the Mendelian genes with their chemical activity, ontogenes possess another type of activity (biophysical) involving induction of an electromagnetic field.

Cell, Morphogenesis, Ontogene, Ontogenesis, Electromagnetic Field, Drosophila

Chadov, B. and Fedorova, N. (2023) Ontogenes and Their Role in Cellular Construction. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 14, 49-73. doi: 10.4236/abb.2023.142004.