Module 3 (special topics) Flashcards
Major developments of week 2
Trophoblast development and embryonic disk, development of amnion and yolk sac, gastrulation, notochordal process, structures derived from the three primary germ layers and neurulation (development of somites)
Major developments of week 1
Fertilisation, cleavage of zygot, formation of morula and blastocyst and implantation
Pattern formation
Developmental process by which cells acquire different identities depending on their relative special positions in the embryo
Germ layers formation name and types
Gastrulation generates the three germ layers: endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm
Mesoderm
Internal (between); body systems include: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, urinary, reproductive and miscellaneous (lining of pericardial, peritoneal and pleural and CTs that support organ systems); shown as red
Ectoderm
Skin (outside); body systems include integumentary, skeletal, nervous, endocrine, respiratory and digestive; shown as blue
Endoderm
Inside; body systems include endocrine, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive; shown as yellow
Fertilisation
Sperm is directed toward egg with chemotactic/thermotactic cues; one sperm enters egg and haploid gametes fuse to make diploid zygote; meiosis occurs after; occurs within uterine tube 2-24 hours after ovulation
Path of sperm cell at egg
Corona radiata: somatic cells surrounding egg that came from ovary during egg release; protect egg and release hormones which act as a chemoattractant for the sperm
Zona pellucida: fibrous mat on exterior of egg, allows sperm to bind to egg; once sperm is bound, it burrows into protective mat until it reaches cytoplasm of egg
Plasma membrane of secondary oocyte
Cytoplasm of secondary oocyte
Cleavage and formation of blastocyst (5 days)
Day 1: cleavage of zygote (2 cell stage); cell divides and gives rise to two smaller blastomeres
Day 2: cleavage of zygote (4 cell stage); further cell division, cells don’t get bigger, same volume
Day 4: ball of cells called a morula, no cavity; loosely-packed ball of cells form a blastocyst; cells huddle closer and adhesion has increased to form first epithelial layer; active sodium pumps pumping Na into cavity inside cells to encourage water to flow in by osmosis
Day 5: two distinct cell types; outside (layer of cells; trophoblast which give rise to placenta) and inside (inner cell mass which give rise to embryo); blastocyst cavity formed allows space for cells to move around
Egg movement
Egg is released from ovary every month, travels down fallopian tubes (where it may be fertilised) with help from cilia and muscular movements; at days 3-4, it is still packaged within zona pellucida as a morula to prevent ectopic pregnancies (cannot develop placenta if implantation occurs in fallopian tube); implantation occurs after about 6 days after fertilisation
Endometrium
Internal layer of uterus which sheds if pregnancy does not occur after egg has been released each month (menstruation); if egg is fertilised, implantation will occur in this layer
Trophoblast and development
Extra embryonic tissues which give rise to the placenta (combination of maternal tissues and tissues from the embryo itself); trophoblast cells differentiate into the syncytiotrophoblast cells and cytrophoblast cells; trophoblast cells eventually give rise to the chorion (extra embryonic part of embryo); occurs about 1 week after fertilisation
Syncytiotrophoblasts
Type of trophoblast cell; loosely packed cells which secrete enzymes to to allow blastocyst to implant into uterine lining; gives rise to chorion
Cytotrophoblast
Distinct cells which secrete human chorionic gonadotrophin that helps maintain the uterine lining in a secretory state so that no menstruation occurs (hormone detected in pregnancy tests); gives rise to chorion
Chorion
Made from both types of trophoblast cells; contributes to the embryonic portion of the placenta; important for creating an interface between the mother and child, allows for exchange of materials between them; villi within chorion create a large surface area to facilitate this
Bilaminar embryonic disc development
Loosely packed inner cell mass forms 2 layers; epiblast is the primitive ectoderm and hypoblast is the primitive endoderm which are together called the bilaminar disc; occurs at approximately days 5-6; after 2 weeks it is connected to the trophoblast cells by a connecting stalk
Amniotic cavity development
Once embryo is buried deep within endometrial layer, amniotic cavity which is initially just on top of the embryonic disc begins to enlarge and surrounds entire embryo; single layer of squamous epithelium forms a dome above the epiblast (amnion) and the cavity fills with amniotic fluid; occurs around 12 days after fertilisation
Amniotic fluid
Inside the amnionic cavity (amnion); buffers the embryo, helps regulate temperature, prevents embryo from dying out and prevents it to sticking to other surfaces; can be used to test foetal cells for abnormalities and infections
Yolk sac development
Hypoblasts proliferate and migrate around inner wall of blastocyst wall until they cover it entirely at day 9; hypoblasts form a new thin membrane and yolk sac develops, so that the embryo sits between the yolk sac and the amnion
At day 12, embryo has completely embedded itself into endometrium; syncytiotrophoblasts divide, expand and the formation of lacunar networks occurs due to small holes developing in the syncytiotrophoblast layer
Yolk sac
Provides a bit of energy for the developing embryo; source of blood cells and nutrients in early development; contributes to formation of the gut
Lacunar networks
Spaces which eventually fuse with the maternal blood network creating the placenta which delivers a source of nutrients to the embryo and a route for waste disposal out of the embryo
Extraembryonic mesoderm cells
Formed around day 12 after fertilisation; along with trophoblast cells will give rise to the chorion
Gastrulation
Germ layers are laid down; first evidence is the formation of the primitive streak which occurs on the dorsal surface of epiblast and elongates from the posterior to anterior of embryo (where head and tail will be); it starts a faint groove which elongates
Invagination occurs where cells from epiblast (ectoderm/bilaminar disc) migrate to lie below primitive streak, displacing the hypoblast, to form the mesoderm which is a loosely organised connective tissue and is between the endo and ecto derm layers; occurs at about 16 days after fertilisation
Hypoblast cells become endoderm and epiblast cells become ectoderm, both being tightly packed cells
Names of directional views of an embryo
Anterior: head; posterior: tail; dorsal: back; ventral: tummy
Notochordal process
Mesodermal cells migrate down from the primitive node of the primitive streak towards the anterior and form a hollow tube of cells in the midline called the notochordal process; occurs underneath the ectoderm at about 16 days after fertilisation but by day 22-24, it becomes a solid rod of cells (notochord)
Notochord
Solid rod of cells formed by day 22-24; defines backbone of organism; induces surrounding tissue to develop in certain ways to give rise to specialised cells by releasing a chemical substance which influences neighbouring tissues
What effects does the notochord have on neighbouring tissues?
Mesodermal cells: develop into ventral bodies
Ectoderm cells above it: form the neural plate
Neurulation
Day 17-19: neural plate thickens and depresses to form neural groove
Day 20: edges of neural groove rise up to form neural folds
Day 21: eventually sinks down and pinches off as a seperate tube (neural tube)
Neural tube at 3-4 weeks
The anterior end of the neural tube gives rise to 3 enlarged areas which will give rise to the brain (hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain)
Somite formation induced by notochord at 22 days; mesoderm on the sides of the neural tube form cuboidal structures, in pairs, on each side of the neural tube; by the end of the 5th week there are 42-44 pairs
Somite division
Divide into 3 sections as they mature;
Top: dermatome which forms CT
Middle: myotome which develops into the skeletal muscles of neck, back and limbs
Bottom: sclerotome which gives rise to vertebrae and ribs
Embryonic folding
2D disc now forms a 3D structure which occurs over days 22-26; embryo becomes completely surrounded by amniotic cavity
Dorsal endodermal layer is continuous with the amnion and endodermal ventral layer is continuous with the yolk sac; connecting stalk is precursor to the umbilical cod which connects embryo to placenta
Different growth rates across embryo causes it to fold and form a curved structure (head at one end and tail at the other); simultaneous lateral folding of the ectoderm is occurring, it folds down and around central column where it surrounds the mesodermal layer with the endoderm in the middle (which forms foregut, mid gut and hind gut through gastrulation)
Pharyngeal arches development
6 bulges (4 obvious and 2 less obvious) form either side of future head and neck; seen at 28 days
Within each pharyngeal arch there are all three germ layers which contain blood vessels, cranial nerve tissue and muscle
Each arch will give rise to unique regions of the head and jaw
Digestive enzyme/catalytic protein
Break down nutrients in food; amylase, lipase, pepsin
Transport protein
Carry substances throughout body in blood or lymph; haemoglobin
Structural protein
Build different structures; actin, keratin, tubulin
Hormone signalling protein
Coordinate activity of different body systems; insulin, glucagon
Immunilogical protein
Protect body from foreign pathogens; antibodies