Embryology Flashcards
What is gametogenesis?
Formation of the gametes in the gonads where germ cells first under go mitosis to increase cell numbers to form:
Speratogonium
Oogonium
Both 46 chromosome
Explain process of spermatogenesis
After birth, the testes of newborns males haven’t progressed passed mitosis. After birth, the gonads are inactive until puberty where the spermatogonia undergo meiosis to form 4 haploid gametes
Explain process of oogenesis
At birth, oogonia have complete oogenesis and meiosis to produce 3 degenerate ova, polar bodies and one haploid ovum
Explain process of fertilisation
- Ovum swept into Fallopian tube by beating cilia
- Sperm surrounds ovum, but only one penetrated
- The (pro)nucleus of sperm enters and fuses with the (pro)nucleus of the ovum
- Forms a diploid zygote
What is a morula?
A solid mass of cells formed when the zygote divides by mitosis
What does the morula become and why?
Becomes a blastocyst as it must alter structure as the large number of cells in the morula mass means it is hard to get nutrition to the centre
How does the blastocyst form from the morula?
- A blastocystic cavity forms as cells accumulate to one end
- Accumulation of cells = Inner cell mass
- the outer lining of cells around perimeter = trophoblast
How long does the first division of the zygote take in becoming a blastocyst?
36 hours
2nd - 24hr
3rd - 12 hours
Name a maternally inherited mitochondrial disease which causes blindness
Leber’s hereditary Optic Neuropathy
What is a chorion?
Developed from the trophoblast, of the blastocyst, which decided into two layers which form the chorion
The chorion develops process; chorionic villi
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
When the embryo implants abnormally outside the womb, usually in the fallopian tubes. Can be dangerous, and usually due to abnormal cilia function
What is the chorions function?
Implantation process
Forms part of the placenta
Secretes Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) - used to detect pregnancy
What does human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) do?
It’s a hormone which stimulate the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone, to keep the endometrium intact
What is the decidua basalis?
Part of endometrium deep to the implanted conceptus, where the maternal side of the placenta is found
Chorion roll in the implantation process
- Implants blastocyst into endometrium
- enzymes from villi breakdown maternal blood vessels
- Forms part of the placenta
- Secrete HCG to maintain endometrium
What two cavities are formed following the formation of the bilaminar disc in the embryo?
Amniotic sac (above epiblast) Yolk sac (below hypoblast)
What is the function of the allantoic cavity?
Gas exchange and removal of liquid waste - later forms the urinary bladder
What are the 3 main functions of the placenta?
Foetal nutrition
Transport of waste and gases
Immune protection
Describe the foetal part and surface of the placenta
Smooth with foetal blood vessels and end of umbilical cord
Describe the maternal part and surface of the placenta
Decidua basalis of endometrium - rough and has maternal blood vessels
When does the placenta become fully mature?
18-20weeks
Describe fraternal/dizygotic multiple births
Comes from two separate zygote after two ova are released - genetically unique and have own placenta
Describe identical/monozygotic twins
One zygote is formed which divides into two and each cells develops into a different embryo - same genetic material and share one placenta
What occurs in week 3?
Gastrulation
Neurulation
Development of smites
Early CVS
What is gastrulation?
Formation of germ layers
What is neurulation?
Formation of neural tube
Where does the primitive streak form?
Formed in the midline of the epiblast by the dipping in of cells (invagination)
What happens in gastrulation?
Cells of the epiblast migrate down into the space between the epiblast and the hypoblast, and keeps dividing until they displace the hypoblast cells
This forms 3 germ layers and the trilaminar disc:
- Ectoderm
- Mesoderm
- Endoderm
What are the cells in the trilaminar disc specialised to eventually become?
Ectoderm - nervous tissue
Mesoderm - bone, cartilage and skeletal muscle
Endoderm - epithelial lining
What is the notochord?
Sends out signals which are picked up by receptors to initiate cell differentiation to form he neural tube
How is the notochord formed?
Cells in the primitive streak sink down to in between the mesoderm and the endoderm
Describe stages in neurulation
- Notochord signal ectoderm to form neural plate
- Dip forms in the plate which deepens
- Two end of dip join to form a tube and loses connection with ectoderm