CNS Development Flashcards
Which structures human embryonic disk are relevant for embryonic development?
primitive streak and Hensen’s knot
Which structure connects the human embryonic disk to the uterus?
body stalk
what are the 2 bubbles of the human embryonic disk? What do these bubbles contain?
allantois (containing yolk sac) and amnion (containing ectoderm)
label the human embryonic disc diagrams
see slides 1 and 2
Which animal is neurulation in humans similar to?
chicks
What is the first step of neurulation?
embryonic disc folds into the neural groove
how many days does neurulation take in chicks? humans? (i.e. when does the neural tube fully close?)
- chicks: 1 day
- humans: 24 days
why does the embryonic disc narrow firstly in the central region during neurulation?
- LATERAL EPITHELIAL CELLS in that area proliferate very fast and push the neural crest toward the center of the disc
- MESODERMAL CELLS proliferate fast and fill the space between the ectoderm and endoderm, causing neural crest cells from both sides to meet in the central region
TRUE or FALSE: the neural crest differentiates into the CNS and the neural tube differentiates into the PNS
FALSE: neural crest becomes PNS and neural tube becomes CNS
What is the notochord’s function initially? finally?
- initial: mechanically stabilize tissue (between neural groove and endoderm)
- final: release factors to signal for neural tube cell differentiation
what do the mesodermal somites show in the final stage of neurulation?
transversal segmentation
what results when the neural tube does not close at the anterior end?
- anencephaly
- forebrain and skull do not develop
- stillborn baby (lethal)
what results when the neural tube does not close at the posterior end?
- spina bifida
- major functional deficits such as dysfunctional motor control or epilepsy
- baby can survive if only lowermost part of spinal cord is affected (non-lethal)
is spina bifida lethal?
no
is anencephaly lethal?
yes
what is a non-inherited way of getting spina bifida?
dietary deficits in cholesterol or folate (i.e. folic acid or vitamin B9)
Which endogenous ectodermal protein is pivotal for neural tube closure?
N-cadherin
which part of the neural tube produces N-cadherin? E-cadherin? What is the function? What does each signal for?
- N-cadherin produced by neural plate; signal for neural plate proliferation
- E-cadherin produced by presumptive epidermis (lateral); signal for epidermal proliferation
What occurs when presumptive epidermal cells are manipulated to genearte both N-cadhrein and E-cadherin?
one side of the neural tube does not enfold –> therefore tube cannot close
(i.e. signalling molecules are VERY IMPORTANT for CNS development)
What does the optic cup form later on?
retina
where does majority of the proliferation occur?
telencephalon, diencephalon, optic vesicles
(i.e. forebrain)