Organogenesis-formation Of The Vertebrate Limb Flashcards
Describe the pentadactyl limb
. Conserved structure in the tetrapods (very simple)
. Modified for different function e.g. in the avian wing yet built to the same plan
Give the characteristic sequence of bones in the forelimb
Humerus, radius and ulna, carpals, metacarpals, digits
Give the characteristic sequence of bones in the hindlimb
Femur, tibia and fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, digits
The limb has 3 developmental axes. What are these?
. Proximal-distal (e.g. shoulder to finger)
. Anterior-posterior (e.g. thumb to little finger)
. Dorsal-ventral (e.g. knuckles and palm)
Give the 3 main limb regions in a chick wing
. Stylopod- humerus
. Zeugopod- ulna and radius
. Autopod- metacarpals and digits
Give the pattern of limb development in a chick/ a mouse (Similar)
. Formation of the limb bud
. Outgrowth (initial bulging of cells)
. Sequential formation of limb bones from proximal (laid down first) to distal- humerus first, digits last
How are limb buds formed?
Formed from mesodermal (mesenchyme) cells which accumulate under ectoderm- capacity to form new limbs
How are multi-legged frogs and salamanders formed in US?
At first formation, half a limb bud can generate a new limb- parasites split these so cause the animal to be multi-legged
How many limb buds are there per embryo in land vertebrates (tetrapods)?
4 limb buds per embryo, always opposite
See top of page 104
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What happens if you replace a limb bud that has started developing with another different limb bud?
It can change what limb is produced- could be a leg rather than a wing
What is apical ectodermal ridge (AER) necessary for?
Outgrowth of the limb
What does implantation if an extra AER do?
Duplicates the limb axis
Implantation of non limb bud mesoderm causes what?
Regression of limb
See par 104 (interactions between ectoderm and mesoderm)
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What happens if the AER is removed?
The limb increases to grow outward (if removal is delayed , there is a progressive appearance of limb bonds in units along the proximal-distal axis)
What does a cells positional information depend on?
Depends on time spent in progress zone (the one that spends the least time will produce the most proximal part and the longest will form the digits)
What are the effects of grafting a young limb bud tip into an older limb bud stump? Why does this happen?
There is a duplication of proximal-distal sequence of bones,
- humerus
- tibia/ fibula
- humerus
- tibia fibula
- digits
Cells in the grafted limb bud too have spent less time in the progress zone so develop into proximal rather than distal bones
What do the four Hox gene complexes in mammals result from?
From chromosome duplications (the Hox genes in vertebrates are on different chromosomes instead of just one as in drosophila). Independent gene duplications and deletions have occurred since split from Drosophila, so relationship with HOM-C complex not 1:1.
Equivalent gene in each complex (e.g. Hoxa1, Hoxb1, and Hoxd1 are paralogues (due to gene duplications, so mammals have at least 4 variances for each Hox gene)
See bottom page 106
Hox gene specification of the limb