Positional information and pattern regulation in Hydra. Dynamics of regions at the boundary

SUMMARY The dynamics of boundary regions have been investigated mainly by axial grafting and with the emphasis on the head end. The time to lesist inhibition of head-end formation and the ability to inhibit head-end formation have been assayed under a variety of conditions. The times increase with distance from the head end. The times required by a boundary region to acquire the inhibitory properties of a head end are longer than those required to acquire resistance to inhibition. Determination of a head end is faster at a cut surface and at higher temperatures. The results are discussed in terms of a model involving two gradients. Some anomalous results are reported.