Inheritance of the basal process has been linked to cell fate specification.

For symmetric divisions that expand the progenitor pool at the onset of neurogenesis, the basal process of neuroepithelial cells can be bisected and inherited by both daughter cells. On the other hand, it has been postulated that in symmetric divisions at later stages, the basal process is inherited by only one of the daughter cells while the other daughter cell has to elaborate a new basal process.

For asymmetric divisions during later neurogenesis, it has been indicated that the neuronal daughter cell inherits the basal process and migrates toward the cortical plate (the future neocortex) through somal translocation, whereas the other daughter cell could grow a new basal radial process and remain in the ventricular zone as a progenitor. This is reviewed by Xin Tan and song-Hai Shi WIREs Dev Biol 2012. doi: 10.1002/wdev.88