FIG. 2. A transient embryonic gap junction neural network coordinates stochastic AWC asymmetry.

(a) Prior to cell-cell communication, both AWC neurons have high intracellular calcium levels and symmetrically exist in the default AWC^OFF state.

(b) AWC, ASH, AFD, and AWB sensory neurons are part of a transient embryonic neural network connected by NSY-5 gap junctions and contribute to the decision making of stochastic AWC asymmetry. Differences in calcium levels between left and right sides of neuronal pairs promote the AWC^ON or AWC^OFF subtype, depending on the cellular context. AWC asymmetry is stochastic, and this figure illustrates the case when AWC^ON is on the left and AWC^OFF is on the right.