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Stenka25 Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary
The meaning of 'lay down' and 'gradients'
the meaning and tense of 'lay down' and 'gradients'
The passage below is from ‘the Blank Slate’ by Steven Pinker.
http://evolbiol.ru/blankslate/blankslate.htm
Another team designed a mouse with a useless thalamus, depriving the entire cortex of its input. But the cortex differentiated into the normal layers and regions, each with a different set of turned-on genes. A third study did the opposite, inventing mice that were missing one of the genes that lay down gradients of molecules that help organize the brain by triggering other genes in particular places.
I'd like ask two questions concerning the underlined 'lay down' and 'gradients'.
First, 'lay down'.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lay_down
3. To specify, institute, enact, assert firmly, state authoritatively, establish or formulate (rules or policies).
? Let's lay down the rules right at the beginning, so we are consistent.
? You've got to lay down the law with that boy.
#3 'establish or formulate' seems to fit the meaning in the passage in question.
Am I right?
Second, the meaning of 'gradients'. I checked out several dictionaries, but that didn't help.
I couldn't find any that suits this context.
Regards.
The passage below is from ‘the Blank Slate’ by Steven Pinker.
http://evolbiol.ru/blankslate/blankslate.htm
Another team designed a mouse with a useless thalamus, depriving the entire cortex of its input. But the cortex differentiated into the normal layers and regions, each with a different set of turned-on genes. A third study did the opposite, inventing mice that were missing one of the genes that lay down gradients of molecules that help organize the brain by triggering other genes in particular places.
I'd like ask two questions concerning the underlined 'lay down' and 'gradients'.
First, 'lay down'.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lay_down
3. To specify, institute, enact, assert firmly, state authoritatively, establish or formulate (rules or policies).
? Let's lay down the rules right at the beginning, so we are consistent.
? You've got to lay down the law with that boy.
#3 'establish or formulate' seems to fit the meaning in the passage in question.
Am I right?
Second, the meaning of 'gradients'. I checked out several dictionaries, but that didn't help.
I couldn't find any that suits this context.
Regards.
Top answer
Stenka25 3. To specify, institute, enact, assert firmly, state authoritatively, establish or formulate (rules or policies). Perhaps.
- Stenka25 3.
- To specify, institute, enact, assert firmly, state authoritatively, establish or formulate (rules or policies).
- Perhaps.
- 'Lay (down)' here is the present simple meaning 'cause to be produced as a foundation'.
- Stenka25 Second, the meaning of 'gradients'.
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2 Answers
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Stenka253. To specify, institute, enact, assert firmly, state authoritatively, establish or formulate (rules or policies).Perhaps. 'Lay (down)' here is the present simple meaning 'cause to be produced as a foundation'.
Stenka25Second, the meaning of 'gradients'.This seems to be a very field-specific use of the term. I int
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