Introduction to Developmental Biology

Question 1

What is development?

Answer 1

A change in structure over time

Question 2

Define embryogenesis

Answer 2

Development of an embryo from the fertilised egg

Question 3

Define regional specification

Answer 3

Pattern formation. How pattern appears in a previously similar population of cells

Question 4

What does regional specification involve?

Answer 4

Laying down the whole body plan and defining the main body axes

Question 5

Define morphogenesis

Answer 5

The shaping of organs and tissue in 3D

Question 6

What does morphogenesis require?

Answer 6

Cell and tissue movement

Question 7

What are model organisms used for?

Answer 7

• Identifying genes with roles in developmental processes
• Understand gene function
• Provide models for human disease

Question 8

What organisms are used for experimental embryology?

Answer 8

• Frog

- Chick

Question 9

Advantages of using a frog for experimental embryology

Answer 9

• Big embryo
• Obvious poles
• Lots of offspring
• Easy to fertilise

Question 10

Disadvantages of using a frog for experimental embryology

Answer 10

• Long development
• Not all thrive
• Yolky embryo

Question 11

Give examples of experiments that frogs are used for

Answer 11

• Tissue transplantations
• Microinjection
• Transgenesis

Question 12

Advantages of using a chick for experimental embryology

Answer 12

• Embryo outside body –> good for manipulation
• Chimeras
• Big embryo

Question 13

Disdvantages of using a chick for experimental embryology

Answer 13

• Not accessible early

- Genetic analysis difficult

Question 14

Give examples of experiments that chicks are used for

Answer 14

• Tissue transplantation and culture
• Retrovirus injection
• Electroporation

Question 15

What organisms are used for studying developmental genetics?

Answer 15

• Zebrafish
• C. elegans
• Drosophila
• Mouse

Question 16

Advantages of using a zebrafish for developmental genetics

Answer 16

• Transparent
• Short life cycle
• Lots of embryos
• Small vertebrate
• Haploid development possible

Question 17

Disdvantages of using a zebrafish for developmental genetics

Answer 17

• Large genome

Question 18

Advantages of using mice for developmental genetics

Answer 18

• Knockout models of human disease
• Mammals
• Easy to keep

Question 19

Disdvantages of using mice for developmental genetics

Answer 19

• Poor accessibility
• Expensive
• Small batches of embryo

Question 20

Give examples of experiments that mice are used in

Answer 20

• Knockout

- Microinjection

Question 21

Advantages of using a fly for developmental genetics

Answer 21

• Large batch
• Quick development
• Human homologues
• Small organism

Question 22

Disadvantages of using a fly for developmental genetics

Answer 22

• Small embryo

Question 23

Give examples of experiments that Drosophila are used in

Answer 23

• Transgenesis

- Mutagenesis

Question 24

Advantages of using a worm for developmental genetics

Answer 24

• Every cell is mapped
• Hermaphroditic
• Constantly reproducing

Question 25

Disadvantages of using a worm for developmental genetics

Answer 25

• Small embryo

Question 26

Give examples of experiments that C. elegans are used in

Answer 26

• Mutagenesis

- RNA interference

Question 27

What is aniridia?

Answer 27

Absence of the iris

Question 28

What causes aniridia?

Answer 28

Single copy mutation in the PAX6 gene

Question 29

What does a mutation in both copies of PAX6 lead to?

Answer 29

Absence of eyes and a defect in the craniofacial structure –> don’t survive

Question 30

What does PAX6 code for?

Answer 30

A member of the paired box class of transcription factors

Question 31

What is PAX6 required for?

Answer 31

The development of the eye

Question 32

Is PAX6 sufficient?

Answer 32

Yes

Question 33

Is PAX6 necessary?

Answer 33

Yes

Question 34

If anchor cells are removed in C. elegans….

Answer 34

No vulva is formed