22 - Genetics of Development Flashcards
Zygote
The diploid cell produced by the union of haploid gametes during fertilization; a fertilized egg
Blastula
A hollow ball of cells that marks the end of the cleavage stage during early embryonic development in animals
Gastrula
An embryonic stage in animal development encompassing the formation of three layers; ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm
Animal pole
The point at the end of an egg in the hemisphere where the least yolk is concentrated; opposite of vegetal pole
Animal hemisphere
refers to the portion of an egg or embryo that contains the majority of the cytoplasm and typically less yolk
Vegetal pole
The point at the end of an egg in the hemisphere where most yolk is concentrated; opposite of animal pole
Vegetal hemisphere
refers to the portion of an egg or embryo that contains a higher concentration of yolk compared to the animal hemisphere
Cytoplasmic determinant
A maternal substance, such as a protein or RNA, that when placed into an egg influences the course of early development by regulating the expression of genes that affect the developmental
fate of cells.development by regulating the expression of genes that affect the developmental fate of cells
Maternal determinant
are substances, such as proteins, RNAs, and other molecules, that are deposited in the egg by the mother during oogenesis (egg development).
Blastomere
An early embryonic cell arising during the cleavage stage of an early embryo
Blastocoel
The fluid-filled cavity that forms in the center of a blastula.
Cell division
the reproduction of cells
Cell differentiation
is the process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type
Cell determination
is the process by which a cell becomes committed to a specific fate or function during development
Master regulator
is a gene or protein that controls the expression of a large number of other genes, thereby orchestrating complex processes such as cell differentiation, development, or response to environmental changes
Gastrulation
In animal development, a series of cell and tissue movements in which the blastula-stage embryo folds inward, producing a three layered embryo, the gastrula.
Morphogenesis
the development of the form of an organism and its structures
Organogenesis
the process in which organ rudiments develop from the three germ layers after gastrulation
Neurulation
is a crucial process in embryonic development during which the neural tube is formed
Notocord
is a flexible, rod-shaped structure that plays a crucial role during the early development of vertebrates
neural tube
A tube of infolded ectodermal cells that runs along the anterior-posterior axis of a vertebrate, just dorsal to the notochord. It will give rise to the central nervous system
Ectoderm
The outermost of the three primary germ layers in animal embryos; gives rise to the outer covering and, in some phyla, the nervous system, inner ear, and lens of the eye.
Endoderm
the innermost of the three primary germ layers in animal embryos; lines the archenteron and gives rise to the liver, pancreas, lungs, and the lining of the digestive tract in species that have these strucutres.
Mesoderm
The middle primary germ layer in a triploblastic animal embryo develops into notochord, the lining of the coelom, muscles, skeleton, gonads, kidneys, and most of the circulatory system in species that have these structures
Involution
refers to a specific type of cell movement that occurs during the process of gastrulation in embryonic development.
Dorsal lip
the region above the blastopore on the dorsal side of the amphibian embryo
Induction
a process in which a group of cells or tissues influences the development of another group through close range interactions
Organizer
refers to a specific region of an embryo that has the ability to direct the development of surrounding tissues, effectively organizing the body plan of the developing organism.
Bicoid
is a maternal effect gene that plays a crucial role in establishing the anterior-posterior axis in the early development of Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly.
Morphogen
a signaling molecule that governs the pattern of tissue development in the process of morphogenesis, and it helps to establish the spatial organization of cells.
