Lecture 1 Introduction

Question 1

Define developmental biology

Answer 1

Study of sequential events leading to formation of embryo, its development through ante, new and post natal life

Question 2

Development biology answers which 4 questions

Answer 2

How do cells acquire different characteristics?
How do cells organize themselves into organs?
What controls the behavior of cells?
How do cells communicate with each other?

Question 3

2 techniques used to study developmental biology

Answer 3

1. Animal models - vert/invert

2. Techniques - microscopy, genetics

Question 4

What are the 3 things mostly studied in developmental biology

Answer 4

cell behavior - cell movement, prolif and differentiation
Genetic program - gene expression and regulation
cell-cell communication - cell signalling

Question 5

Cells contain all determinants (genes) but may execute…

What underpins this decision

Answer 5

subset of the program available (somatic cells) or the whole program (germ cells)

Cell communication and cell signalling

Question 6

All cells have the same..

Answer 6

ALL CELLS HAVE THE SAME DNA, BUT

DIFFERENT CELLS EXPRESS DIFFERENT GENES.

Question 7

THE REPERTOIRE OF PROTEINS PRESENT IN A CELL UNDERPINS…

Answer 7

ITS IDENTITY

AND FUNCTION.

Question 8

Example of paracrine and autocrine signalling

Answer 8

Shh, Wnt, TGFb, BMP, FGF

signaling

Question 9

Example of juxtacrine signalling

Answer 9

Notch

Question 10

Transmission to nucleus involves…

Answer 10

Transmission to the nucleus involves signal transduction cascade
(cell surface, cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins that relay signals
from the cell surface to the nucleus)

Question 11

What dictates the protein content of a cell

Answer 11

Transcription and translation

Question 12

What levels does a cell operate control on a gene program

Answer 12

Several levels are which a cell operate a
	control on a gene program:
	- the production of mRNA
	- the processing/stability of mRNA
	- the production of proteins
	- the activity of proteins

Question 13

Control of genetic program at level of gene transcription x 4

Answer 13

differential gene expression
enhancer-mediated control of gene expression
control at level of chromatin
miRNA

Question 14

Cells become different to each other via…

Answer 14

distinct behaviours (division, adhesion, migration, death) and cell-cell communication (paracrine, autocrine, juxtracrine)

Question 15

3 phases of cell signalling

Answer 15

reception
transduction
response

Question 16

Cell signalling results in…

Answer 16

Changes in gene expression profile of a cell

These changes operate mainly at level of mRNA synthesis (transcription) through activity of specific TF

Question 17

which of the following basic developmental processes is most dependent on cellular MOVEMENTS

Answer 17

morphogenesis