Unit 1: Developmental biology Flashcards
What is developmental biology ?
The study of the transient stages between egg and birth
What are the 3 mechanisms driving embryonic development ?
1) The generation of cells
2) The generation of different cells
3) The generation of tissues/organs/the whole body
What is morphogenesis ?
- The creation of structure of form
- 2 major forms
What are the 2 major forms of cells during embryogenesis ?
- Mesenchyme
- Epithelial
What is anatomical embryology ?
The study of how anatomy changes within and between embryos
What is genetic embryology ?
How genes control development
What is experimental embryology ?
The mechanics of development
How do we study developmental biology (3) ?
1) Anatomical embryology
2) Genetic embryology
3) Experimental embryology
Why do we use model organisms (3) ?
- Easy to breed all year round
- Easy to maintain in a lab in large numbers
- Fast development
What is the main model organism ?
Drosophila (Fruit fly)
Why are drosophila used as animal models (3) ?
1) Develop outside mother (Can manipulate without harm to mother)
2) Short life span
3) Invertebrate
Why are zebrafish used as animal models (3) ?
1) Develop external to mother
2) Cheap and small adults
3) Good for genetics as easy to mutate, make transgenics
Why are frogs used as animal models (3) ?
1) Large eggs
2) Vertebrate
3) Easily manipulated for experimental embryology
Why are chicks used as animal models (3) ?
1) Closer to humans than frogs and zebrafish
2) Develop external to mother
3) Large embryo
Why are mice used as animal models (3) ?
1) Same number of genes in same order so good for genetics
2) Short breeding cycle
3) Mammalian so closer to humans than chicks, frogs and zebrafish
