Fig. 6. Histograms showing first-quartet micromere volumes in normal embryos or partial embryos isolated at the four-cell stage. Micromeres were measured after isolation from whole or partial embryos. Quarter embryos, half embryos and three-quarter embryos were isolated by puncturing unwanted blastomeres between 35 and 45 minutes after second cleavage (30 to 40 minutes before micromere formation). One micromere was isolated from each whole or partial embryo; this was achieved by isolating the desired quadrant (either during the four-cell stage or immediately after third cleavage) and then ablating the sister cell of the desired micromere 30-40 minutes after third cleavage.

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