Embryology Flashcards
How long is in-utero human development?
9 months (38-40 weeks) split into 3 trimesters
What is the name given to the first three weeks of in-utero development?
First trimester is called conceptus/embryo
What is the name given to the second trimester (weeks 3-8)?
The embryonic period
What is the name given to weeks 9-40 (third trimester) of in-utero development?
Foetal period
Describe the first trimester/conceptus
The embryo forms when mitosis of a fertilised egg begins, so even at the 2 cell stage it is technically classed as an embryo
What happens during the embryonic period?
Where differentiation starts to happen, cells start establish their future function and organ systems are established.
Why is the embryonic period crucial?
The potential for abnormalities or malformation is much higher. Embryo is most vulnerable to environmental agents such as viruses and tetarogens (any agent or factor that causes an abnormality following foetal exposure during pregnancy).
Define embryogenesis
The formation and development of an embryo.
What is gametogenesis?
Formation of a gamete- ova and sperm
What is a gamete?
Gametes are sex cells. A gamete is a cell with a compliment of 23 chromosomes (half a typical somatic cell).
Gametogenesis consists of mitosis and meiosis. Define these two processes and state what they lead to.
Mitosis- division of one cell into two identical cells
meiosis- division of a cell into two cells with half the genetic component and half the no.of chromosomes of the original cell.
Leads to genetic variation
Define oogenesis
Formation of female gametes
When does oogenesis start and finish?
Starts in development of the embryo- primordial germ cells originate in the yolk sac of the embryo.
Ends in menopause
What starts to happen to some primary oocytes by week 28-30 as they develop in the embryo?
Some cells have begun dying after week 20.
Primary oocytes begin meiosis but arrest in prophase until puberty.
When is reproductive life span determined?
In fetal life
Define spermatogenesis
Formation of male gametes- spermatozoa
When does spermatogenesis first occur?
At puberty and continues throughout life.
- each cycle takes approx. 64-74days
What is the production rate of sperm?
Approx. 6.5 million sperm per gram of testicular tissue/day
This decreases with age
What is the genetic outcome of oogenesis?
22+X
What are the possible genetic outcomes of spermatogenesis?
22+X or 22+Y
What is trisomy 21?
An additional copy of chromosome 21.
What is the typical cause of trisomy 21?
nondisjunction
Where does most nondisjunction occur?
75% of nondisjunction cases occur during oocyte formation
What does trisomy 21 lead to?
Down syndrome
Describe in detail the 4 stages of fertilization
- sperm binds in a human specific interaction with the zona pellucida glycoprotein (ZP3)
- Acrosomal enzymes released from the sperm head; the sperm digests its way into the egg.
- Egg and sperm plasma membrane fuse and sperm contents enter the egg
- sperm entry triggers:
- completion of meisos 2
- release of cortical granules by oocyte
How does the release of cortical granules help to prevent polyspermy?
Renders the zona pellucida impermeable to others
What is the zona pellucida? Describe it
- An extracellular matrix
- Transparent layer surrounding the oocytee
- specialized
- thought to be formed by oocyte secretions
- contains a no. of glycoproteins
What are some of the roles of the Zona Pellucida?
- protection during growth
- helping binding of sperm
- preventing polyspermy
- assists with blastocyst development
- helps prevent ectopic pregnancy
Where does fertilization typically occur?
In the ampulla of the uterine tube
What is cleavage?
The first cell divisions after fertilization.
After fertilization, the zygote undergoes a series of __________ divisions which subdivide the fertilised egg into many smaller daughter cells called _____________ .
- mitotic
- blastomeres
What are blastomeres thought to be up to the 8 cell stage?
Totipotent
What does it mean if a cell is totipotent?
Capable of forming or becoming all of the different types of cells in the body as well as becoming embryonic and placental cells.
Why are pluripotent cells different to totipotent?
Pluripotent can become any type of cell except for embryonic or placental cells.
Define mosaicism
Individuals with two or more cell lines with different chromosome compliments