Autonomous specification is a crucial concept in developmental biology that describes how embryonic cells acquire their fate based on intrinsic, inherited factors rather than external cues. This type of specification plays a foundational role in what is known as mosaic development.

In autonomous specification, cells inherit cytoplasmic determinants — specific proteins, RNAs, or other molecules distributed unevenly in the egg cytoplasm during oogenesis and early cleavage stages. These determinants are partitioned into individual cells as the embryo divides, giving each cell a defined developmental program that directs what it will become.

Because the fate of cells under autonomous specification depends on these intrinsic factors, they develop their destined structures regardless of their environment. For instance, if a cell is isolated from the embryo early on, it will still differentiate into the tissue it was programmed to become. Also, removal of these cells from the embryo results in missing structures in the adult organism, exemplifying the mosaic nature of the development.

Mosaic development refers to embryos composed of cells with fixed, autonomous fates, resulting in an organism developed like a mosaic where each piece is predetermined. This type of development is typical of many invertebrates, such as tunicates and molluscs.

Contrastingly, regulative development involves conditional specification, where cell fate depends on interactions with neighboring cells, allowing flexibility and compensation for cell loss.

To summarize:

• Autonomous specification leads to mosaic development.

• Cell fates are predetermined by inherited cytoplasmic determinants.

• Cells develop independently of external signals.

• Removal of specific cells causes loss of corresponding structures.

• Mosaic development typifies many invertebrate embryos.

Therefore, with respect to the question, autonomous specification results in:

(3) Mosaic development