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Biology for the MCAT :) > Embryogenesis & Development > Flashcards

Embryogenesis & Development Flashcards

(64 cards)

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1
Q

Fertilization

A

Penetration of the sperm through the cell membrane of an oocyte causes a cortical reaction - release of Ca2+ which depolrizes the membrane of the ovum preventing fertilization of the ovum by multiple sperms and increase metabolic rate of the new formed diploid zygote

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2
Q

Ampulla

A

Widest part of the fallopian tube where fertilization occurs

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3
Q

Dizygotic Twins

A

Fraternal twins (2 eggs with 2 different sperm)

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4
Q

Monozygotic Twins

A

Identical twins (1 zygote splits into 2)

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5
Q

Cleavage

A
  • Zygote undergoes rapid mitotic cell divisions by dividing into progressively smaller cells
  • Nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio increases
  • Surface area to volume ratio increases allowing for increased gas exchange
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6
Q

Steps of Egg Growth

A
  1. Zygote (immediately after fertilization)
  2. 2 cells
  3. 4 cells
  4. 8 cells
  5. 16 cells
  6. Morula (solid mass of cells)
  7. Blastula (hollow ball of cells)
  8. Gastrula (multiple layers of cells)
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7
Q

Blastulation

A

Moving from Morula (solid mass of cells) to Blastula (hollow ball of cells)

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8
Q

Gastrulation

A

Moving from Blastula (hollow ball of cells) to Gastrula (multiple layers of cells)

  • Generation of 3 distinct layers (endoderm, ectoderm and mesoderm) once the cell mass implants
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9
Q

Blastula

A

Moves into the uterus and burrous into the endometrium

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10
Q

Inner Cell Mass

A

Part of the Blastula:

Inner cells that give rise to the organism itself

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11
Q

Trophoblast

A

Part of the Blastula:

Outer cells that give rise to chorion and later to the placenta

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12
Q

Chorion

A

Extraembryonic membrane that develops into the placenta

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13
Q

Chorionic Villi

A

Fingerlike projections that penetrate the endometrium and support maternal fetal gas exchange

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14
Q

Fetus to Placenta Blood Exchange

A

Two arteries carry away deoxygenated blood and waste

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15
Q

Placenta to Fetus Blood Exchange

A

One Vein carries oxygenated blood and nutrients in

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16
Q

Umbilical Cord

A

Connects embryo to placenta

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17
Q

Yolk Sac

A

Early blood cell development; Embryo is supported by this before the placenta; later becomes the umbilical cord

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18
Q

Allantois

A

Extraembryonic membrane for early fluid exchange

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19
Q

Amnion

A

Extraembryonic membrane for amniotic fluid; shock absorber

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20
Q

Archenteron

A

Formed from gastrulation and later develops into the gut

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21
Q

Blastopore

A

Opening of the archenteron which later becomes the anus

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22
Q

Germ Layers

A
  • Endoderm
  • Ectoderm
  • Mesoderm
  • Archenteron (Blastopore)
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23
Q

Endoderm

A

“Endernal Organs”
Innermost layer which gives rise to epithelial linings

  • Lining of digestive tract
  • Pancreas
  • Liver
  • Lung
  • Thyroid
  • Bladder
  • Urethra
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24
Q

Ectoderm

A

“Attract Oderm”
Outermost layer which gives rise to the integument system

  • Skin (Epidermis)
  • Eyes
  • Nervous System
  • Ears
  • Pituitary Gland
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25
Mesoderm
Middle layer giving rise to several different systems - Bone Marrow - Skeletal muscle - Smooth muscle - Cardiac muscle - Heart - Blood vessels - Kidney Tubules
26
Differentiation
Selective transcription of the genome
27
Implantation
Embryo implants in uterus during blastula stage
28
Neurulation
Germ layers develop a nervous system
29
Induction
Part of Differentiation: | Ability of one group of cells to influence the fate of other nearby cells
30
Inducers
Part of Differentiation: | Mediate induction - chemicals which diffuse from the organizing cells (responsive cells)
31
Notochord
Mesodermal cells form along the axis of the organism
32
Neural Folds
Overlying ectodermal cells slide inward from the notochord surrounding the neural groove
33
Neural Tube
Fuse neural folds grow toward one another giving rise to the central nervous system
34
Neural Crest Cells
At the tip of each neural fold, gives rise to peripheral nervous system
35
Teratogens
Substances that interfere with development - Alcohol - RX Drugs - Viruses - Bacteria - Environmental Chemicals - Maternal Health
36
Determination
Commitment of cell to having a particular function in the future
37
Differentiation
Cell assumes structure, function and biochemistry of that cell type
38
Stem Cells
Give rise to cells that will differentiate but have not yet done so
39
Totipotent
Greatest potency, can differentiate into any cell type, either in the fetus or placental structures
40
Pluripotent
Cells can differentiate to any cell type EXCEPT placental structures
41
Multipotent
Cells can differentiate into multiple types of cells in a particular group
42
Responder
Cell that is induced - must be competent and able to respond to signal
43
Autocrine
Signal acts on the same cell that created the signal
44
Paracrine
Signal acts on cells in the local area
45
Juxtacrine
Signals feature a cell directly stimulating receptors of the adjacent cell
46
Exocrine
Secrete hormones that travel through blood to distant target tissues
47
Inducer
Commonly growth factors - peptides that promote differentiation and mitosis in certain tissues
48
Cell Migration
Cell must be able to disconnect from adjacent structures and migrate to their anatomically correct location
49
Apoptosis
Programmed cell death via apoptotic signals or pre-programming
50
Necrosis
Cell death in which the cell dies as a result of injury
51
Apoptotic Blebs
- Self contained pieces remaining after the cell undergoes changes in morphology and divides - These can be digested by other cells to recycle materials
52
Regeneration
Ability of an organism to regrow certain parts of the body Complete - lost / damaged tissues is replaced with identical tissues Incomplete - Newly formed tissue is NOT identical in structure or function to the tissue it is replacing
53
Senescence
Biological aging - at cellular level the cells fail to divide, telomeres (ends of chromosomes) begin to shorten
54
Telomerase
Enzyme preventing senescence and controls cell division
55
Fetal Circulation
- Fetal and maternal blood do not mix - Diffusion moves nutrients and waste - Higher partial O2 in maternal blood - Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF) have a higher affinity for O2
56
Placental Barrier
Serves immune protection, allows for the crossing of antibodies, gas, nutrients and waste exchange
57
Shunts
Direct blood away from organs not in use like the lungs or the liver in the fetus
58
Foramen Ovale
One way valve connects right and left atrium in the heart in fetuses
59
Ductus Arteriosus
Shunts leftover blood from pulmonary artery to the aorta in fetuses
60
Ductus Venosus
Shunts blood returning from placenta to the inferior vena cava in fetuses
61
First Trimester (Fetus)
- Major organs begin to develop - Brain is fairly developed - Heart begins to beat - Cartilaginous skeleton begins to harden
62
Second Trimester
- Growth - Movement begins - Appearance becomes more human; toes and finger elongate
63
Third Trimester
- Growth - Brain development - Antibodies transported from mother to fetus - Less active (less room to move)
64
Steps of Birth
1. Cervix thins out and amniotic sac ruptures (water-breaking) 2. Strong uterine rhythmic contractions of smooth muscle coordinated by prostaglandins and oxytocin 3. Birth of child 4. Placental and umbilical cord are expelled (after-birth)

Biology for the MCAT :) (10 decks)

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