Gastrulation. Becoming trilaminar (Week 3) Flashcards
What is gastrulation?
Gastrulation is the process where the three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm) are formed in the embryo.
Which germ layer forms the skin and nervous system?
The ectoderm.
What structure initiates gastrulation?
The primitive streak.
What germ layer gives rise to the circulatory system?
The mesoderm.
Which germ layer forms the lining of the gut and associated organs?
The endoderm.
What is the role of the primitive node?
It organizes the development of the notochord and body axis.
What signaling molecule establishes the primitive streak?
Nodal.
Where is the primitive streak located?
At the posterior end of the epiblast.
What happens to the primitive streak after gastrulation?
It regresses and disappears.
What structure does the primitive node induce?
The notochord.
What is the function of the notochord?
It serves as a signaling center for the development of the neural tube and somites.
Which germ layer forms the notochord?
The mesoderm.
What does the notochord become in adults?
The nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs.
Which molecular signal is secreted by the notochord?
Sonic hedgehog (Shh).
What is the fate of cells that migrate through the node during gastrulation?
They form the prechordal plate and notochord.
What structure induces neural tissue formation?
The notochord.
What molecular signal inhibits BMP to allow neural induction?
Noggin, Chordin, and Follistatin.
What does the ectoderm differentiate into without BMP signaling?
Neural tissue.
What role does FGF play in neural induction?
It promotes the transition of epiblast cells to mesoderm and ectoderm fates.
What structure forms as a precursor to the nervous system?
The neural plate.
How is left-right asymmetry established in the embryo?
By the flow of fluid created by cilia in the primitive node.
Which signaling molecule is concentrated on the left side of the embryo?
Nodal.
What is situs inversus?
A condition where the positions of internal organs are mirrored.
What causes ciliary dysfunction in left-right asymmetry disorders?
Mutations in dynein genes.
What is the role of Lefty-1 and Lefty-2 in asymmetry?
They limit the activity of Nodal to the left side of the embryo.
What allows epiblast cells to migrate during gastrulation?
Loss of cell adhesion and acquisition of migratory properties.
What molecule is involved in epiblast cell migration?
Fibronectin in the extracellular matrix
Which molecules regulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)?
Snail and Slug.
What is the function of E-cadherin in gastrulation?
It maintains cell adhesion in epithelial cells, which is reduced during migration.
What happens to mesoderm cells after migration?
They differentiate into specific tissues based on their position.
What does the paraxial mesoderm form?
In head and trunk region
trunk: Somites, which give rise to skeletal muscles and vertebrae.
head: UNSEGMENTED
HEAD MESENCHYME
+ NEURAL CREST CONTRIBUTION
+ prechordal plate contribution
What does the intermediate mesoderm form?
Only in the trunk
The urogenital system, including kidneys and gonads.
What does the lateral plate mesoderm form?
Only in the trunk
splanchnic mesoderm, somatic mesoderm (lining of the body cavities, formation the serose, formation of the wall of intestinal tube…)
The circulatory system and body wall.
Which mesodermal structure forms the notochord?
The axial mesoderm.
How is the mesoderm patterned during gastrulation?
By signals such as BMP, FGF, and Wnt.
What does the definitive endoderm form?
The lining of the gut, respiratory system, and associated organs like the liver.
Which structure guides endodermal migration during gastrulation?
The hypoblast.
How is the endoderm separated from the mesoderm?
By basement membrane signaling.
What is the role of Sox17 in endoderm development?
It regulates differentiation of endodermal cells.
How does the endoderm contribute to organogenesis?
By interacting with mesodermal signals to form organs like lungs and pancreas.
What is the result of impaired BMP signaling in gastrulation?
Defects in mesodermal patterning.
What is sirenomelia, and what causes it?
A condition where lower limbs are fused, caused by defects in mesoderm formation.
AKA caudal dysgenesis
What is the prechordal plate?
A structure that contributes to forebrain development.
What is the role of Cerberus in development?
It inhibits Wnt, Nodal, and BMP to help pattern the anterior embryo.
What is the embryonic shield in vertebrate embryos?
A structure analogous to the primitive streak.
How do BMP inhibitors regulate germ layer formation?
By promoting neural ectoderm development while suppressing mesoderm.