The process involved in the specification of cell identity. Once specification has taken place, a cell will be committed to differentiate down a specific pathway if left in its normal environment.

The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the nematode larva over time, from its formation to the mature structure. Nematode larval development begins with the newly hatched first-stage larva (L1) and ends with the end of the last larval stage (for example the fourth larval stage (L4) in C. elegans). Each stage of nematode larval development is characterized by proliferation of specific cell lineages and an increase in body size without alteration of the basic body plan. Nematode larval stages are separated by molts in which each stage-specific exoskeleton, or cuticle, is shed and replaced anew.

A series of molecular signals initiated by the binding of an extracellular ligand to the receptor Notch on the surface of a target cell, and ending with regulation of a downstream cellular process, e.g. transcription.

The deposition of eggs (either fertilized or not) upon a surface or into a medium such as water.

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of development of the vulva. Vulval development is the process whose specific outcome is the progression of the egg-laying organ of female and hermaphrodite nematodes over time, from its formation to the mature structure. In nematodes, the vulva is formed from ventral epidermal cells during larval stages to give rise to a fully formed vulva in the adult.

The self-renewing division of a germline stem cell to produce a daughter stem cell and a daughter germ cell, which will divide to form the gametes.

Any process that mediates the adoption of a specific fate by a cell.

Exit from the facultative diapause of the dauer (enduring) larval stage of nematode development.

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of transcription from an RNA polymerase II promoter.

A membrane-bounded organelle of eukaryotic cells in which chromosomes are housed and replicated. In most cells, the nucleus contains all of the cell's chromosomes except the organellar chromosomes, and is the site of RNA synthesis and processing. In some species, or in specialized cell types, RNA metabolism or DNA replication may be absent.

A transcription factor complex that acts at a regulatory region of a gene transcribed by RNA polymerase II.