Neuro2 - 11

Question 1

What axes do all adult vertebrates have?

Answer 1

A-P, D-V, L-R

Question 2

How does the neural plate form?

Answer 2

First place of cells induced to neural fate form ectoderm

Question 3

What occurs to the neural plate?

Answer 3

Rolls up, gradually fusing, turning into the neural tube

Question 4

What was discovered about embryos about a century ago?

Answer 4

They are self-regulating, or self-organising

Question 5

How are neural inducers discovered?

Answer 5

cDNA libraries of organiser tissue injected into ventral blastomere - look for signs of neural induction - identify single clone

Question 6

What experimental parameters are attached to neural inducer discovery?

Answer 6

Molecule must be expressed in organiser, overexpression should lead to induction of secondary axis, inhibition should prevent axis formation

Question 7

What was quickly discovered about neural inducers?

Answer 7

Many, but varied homologies - they actually all act to inhibit BMP

Question 8

What was the first neural inducer discovered?

Answer 8

Chordin

Question 9

Outline BMP signalling, crudely

Answer 9

BMP = ectoderm, no BMP = neural

Question 10

How does chordin/noggin act on BMP signalling?

Answer 10

Competes for binding sites

Question 11

What system is homologous to BMP/chordin mechanism in Drosophila?

Answer 11

Dpp/sog (short gastrulation)