Embryology- pre-embryonic phase (weeks 1 to 2) Flashcards
How does one cell become a multicellular body?
- Growth
- Morphogenesis - development of form and structure
- Differentiation - specialisation for function
Define the stages of human development before birth
- Pre-embryonic
- Embryonic
- Fetal
Which weeks post-fertilisation make up the pre-embryonic stage?
Weeks 1-2
Which weeks post-fertilisation make up the embryonic stage?
Weeks 3-8
Which weeks post-fertilisation make up the fetal stage?
Weeks 9 - birth (38 weeks plus or minus 2 (is normal))
What is the start point which is used to calculate the weeks of the stages of development?
These are calculated from the LMP (last menstrual period). Therefore on average the term of pregnancy is these conception weeks plus 2 (term of pregnancy is 40 weeks) because typically fertilisation occurs 2 weeks into the menstrual cycle.
Which three developmental processes occur in the pre-embryonic stage of development?
- Cleavage - formation of morula by first mitosis
- Compaction - formation of blastocyst
- Implantation begins - blastocyst makes contact with the endometrium of the uterus
Where is the oocyte generally fertilised?
In the ampulla of the fallopian tube
What is the name of a fertilised oocyte?
zygote
What is the ideal site for implantation of the blastocyst?
Posterior uterine wall
Why is there a small window for fertilisation?
An oocyte is only viable for 1 day and sperm for 3 days
What happens during cleavage in the pre-embryonic period?
The first mitotic division.
Results in two blastomeres of equal size surrounded by a glycoprotein shell called the zona pellucida. Blastomeres contained within the zona pellucida are collectively called the morula when they have divided to form 8 blastomeres.
What is the name of the glycoprotein shell that surrounds the blastomeres?
Zona pellucida
What is the morula?
Eight blastomeres and their surrounding zona pellucida.
What is important about the ability of the cells in the morula?
They are totipotent - have the capacity to become any cell type.
At what stage do assisted reproductive techniques transfer the fertilised oocyte into the uterus?
When it has divided to the 4-8 cell stage (morula)
How does pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) test for heritable conditions?
A cell is safely removed from the morula and tested, prior to transfer of the embryo into the mother
What is the defining occurrence during the pre-embryonic process of compaction?
Formation of the first cavity - blastocyst cavity
What is the name of the total cell mass once compaction has occurred?
blastocyst
What are the two different tissue types that occur during the first differentiation event, compaction?
Inner cell mass “embryoblast”
Outer cell mass “trophoblast”
What does the inner cell mass go on to form?
the embryo
What does the outer cell mass go on to form?
the supporting tissues of the embryo - placenta and membranes
What is the name of the first cavity that is formed in the pre-embryonic period?
Blastocyst cavity
What is the difference in the ability of the cells before and after the compaction event in the pre-embryonic phase of pregnancy?
Before - totipotent: capacity to become any cell type
After - pluripotent: capcity to become 1 of many cell types