Lecture 1 - intro to DevSteR Flashcards
What can we use to study DevSteR?
Model organisms
What is used to study DevSteR?
- model organisms
- key concepts
What is developmental biology?
study of the processes by which animals & plants grow & develop. It also involves the study of tissue homeostasis in adulthood.
What are stem cells?
cells found in the embryo & also in adults. Stem cells are also studied in vitro to aid in regenerative medicine.
What is Regenerative biology?
aims to elucidate (explain) the innate ability of organisms to replace tissues or organs after they have been removed or damaged
What are model organisms used to study DevSteR?
- development of systems involve a range of complex range or interactions within the whole organism.
- genetics (similar/simple)
- surgical accessibility
- low cost
- ethics
- genome sequencing
- shared methods & knowledge worldwide
What type of model organism is expensive to use?
mouse
What type of model organism is inexpensive to use?
drosophila
Why are the ethics of using a vertebrate more problematic compared to those of an invertebrate?
invertebrates are considered to be less neuro-complex
What animal has been studied globally for decades?
drosophila
How long does a zebra fish take to fully form, after fertilisation?
90 days
What are the 6 stages of development in a zebrafish?
- Development of embryo (0-2 hours)
- Cleavage (2-6 hours)
- Gastrulation & epiboly
- Organogenesis
- Hatching
- Adult
What occurs in the cleavage phase during the development of a zebra fish?
- development of sphere stage (1000 cells) - 4 hours
- development of shield stage - 6 hours
What occurs in the gastrulation & epiboly stage during the development of a zebra fish?
- 75% epiboly
- 14 somite stage
What occurs in the organogenesis stage during the development of a zebra fish?
body plan established & major organ visible (16-24hours)
What occurs when a zebra fish hatches?
after 2 days, a zebra fish is free to swim, however it isn’t fully developed.
How long does it occur for a zebra fish to become an adult?
90 days
What are the advantages of using a zebrafish as a model organism?
- vertebrate
- large batches of embryos
- relatively transparent
- external fertilisation
What useful techniques can be carried out using zebrafish?
- mutagenesis/genetics
- cell transplantations
- transgenesis
What are the disadvantages of using a zebrafish as a model organism?
- complex genome with gene duplication
- not inbred (high variation)
How long does it occur for birth to occur in a mouse?
50 days (8 weeks)
Describe the steps involved in the development of a mouse
- Cleavage
- Implantation
- Gastrulation (& turning)
- Organogenesis
- Feral growth & development
- Birth
What are the advantages of using a mouse (Mus musculus) as a model organism?
- it is a mammal
- rapid generation time (8 weeks)
- inbred strains (low variability)
In which useful technique are mice useful as, when using a model organism?
- embryonic stem cells allow for gene knockout
What are the disadvantages of using a mouse (Mus musculus) as a model organism?
- internal embryos have poor access
- small batches of embryos
- expensive
- ethical issues
What are the 2 types of African-clawed frog used as a model organism?
- Xenopus laevis
- Xenopus tropicalis
What are the stages in the development of an African-clawed frog?
- Egg
- Cleavage
- Gastrulation
- Organogenesis
- Metamorphosis