Embryology Flashcards
How long does the embryonic period last?
3-8 weeks
Define proliferation
The rapid growth and production of cells
Define differentiation
The process of developing and changing to become specialised
Define specialisation
The adaptation of a cell to carry out a particular function
Define apoptosis
Cell death as a normal and controlled process of cell growth and development
Define morphogenesis
The biological process that causes a cell to develop its shape
Name 2 conditions that arise from ineffective proliferation/ apoptosis
Excessive proliferation = Polydactyly
Failed apoptosis = Syndactyly
Describe the process of fertilisation
Sperm cell –> Corona radiata of egg –> Acrosome releases enzymes –> Sperm cell penetrates zona pellucida –> Sperm cell’s membrane fuses with egg cell’s membrane
Outline what occurs just after fertilisation takes place
- Oocyte completes meiosis II
- Cumulus oophorus cells surround the oocyte
- Theca cells form the corpus luteum
- Corpus luteum secretes progesterone which prepares and sustains the uterine wall for implantation
Describe the fertilised ovum
- 12-24 hours after fertilisation
- Sperm must get through corona radiate and zona pellucida
- Zona becomes specialised once a sperm has traversed it, blocking others from entering
- Oocyte completes meiosis II and 2 pronuclei form
- Male and female pronuclei fuse to form zygote (2n)
What are the stages of embryonic development?
- Fertilised ovum
- Cleavage (30 hrs - day 3, mitosis increases cell number)
- Morula (day 3-4, solid ball of cells)
- Blastocyst (day 5, trophoblast, blastocoel and inner cell mass form)
- Implantation (blastocystic stage, day 7-8, syncytiotrophoblast secretes enzymes that allow implantation)
- Gastrulation (end of week 2, primary germ layers form)
What is a blastocoel?
Cavity in blastocyst
When are the discs formed?
Week 2 = Bilaminar disc
Week 3 = Trilaminar disc
How does the bilaminar disc form?
Differentiation of the embryoblast (inner cell mass)
What are the 2 parts of the bilaminar disc?
Epiblast
Hypoblast
Describe the formation of the epiblast
- Cells cavitate to form the amnion
- Cells from the epiblast will also eventually form the body of the embryo
- Located above amniotic cavity
Describe the formation of the hypoblast
- Future cranial region
- Cells of hypoblast migrate along inner surface of cytotrophoblast and form primary yolk sac
- Primary yolk sac reduces in size and becomes secondary yolk sac
- Transfers nutrients between foetus and mother
What is the yolk sac?
Origin of blood cells and vessels
What are the 2 types of trophoblast?
- Cytotrophoblast
2. Syncytiotrophoblast
Describe the cytotrophoblast
- Inner
- Divides mitotically into syncytiotrophoblast to form primary chorionic villi
- Cells from these villi can be removed for chorionic villus sampling
- Have membranes