Module 2 - Early Development Process Flashcards
(151 cards)
Each one of us originated from
two germ cells – a sperm and an ovum.
Germ cells are produced through
meiosis: the cell division process that results in a germ cell containing 23 chromosomes (not to be confused with mitosis).
Females are born with all of their ___________, whereas males make ___________ ________________
ovum, sperm continuously.
Meiosis involves two cycles of cell division called
meiosis 1 and meiosis 2
Sex cells are also known as __________
gametes
Each cycle of meiosis involves the same four phases as mitosis
PMAT. Just like mitosis the parent cell copies its DNA before cell division begins so each single stranded chromosome becomes double-stranded.
In prophase 1 the chromosomes condense and join together in pairs (one from father and one from mother). Genes are swapped in a pair called crossing over.
Metaphase 1 - pairs of chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell. Fibres attach the chromosomes to two bodies on opposite sides of the cell.
Anaphase 1 - the fibres seperate the pairs
Telophase 1 - two nuclei form and then the cell splits into two cells, each with 23 double-stranded chromosomes
Meiosis 2:
Each cell will divide again to form 4 cells with 23 single-stranded chromosomes
Prophase 2 - chromosomes condense and the nucleus breaks down
Metaphase 2 - the chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell.
Anaphase 2- Fibres pull single-stranded chromosomes apart
Telophase 2 - nuclei form and finally, the cells divide
The 4 cells produced by meiosis are genetically …
different to each other and to the original cell. This genetic variety explains why children can look and behave so differently from one another
During conception, how many sperm are released into the female ?
an average of 500 million (!!!)
sperm must swim for 6-7 hours to reach their destination
only about 200 sperm actually get close to the egg
A fertilized egg is known as
a zygote (at this point prenatal development has begun. )
Prenatal development is broken into 3 main stages:
The germinal period - weeks 0-2
the embryonic period - weeks 3-8
and the fetal period. - weeks 9 - birth
The first two weeks of prenatal development are known as
the germinal period. During this time, the zygote is rapidly dividing.
Day 1 - fertilization
Day 2-4: cell division takes places
Day 4-5: blastocyst reaches uterus
(Approximately 4-5 days after fertilization, the zygote enters the uterus from the fallopian tube. The zygote is now referred to as the blastocyst – it forms as a hollow ball of cells and will implant into the wall of the uterus.)
Day 5-9: Blastocyst implants
The germinal period comes to an end when the blastocyst is fully embedded, which takes about one week.
What prenatal development period lasts from implantation to 8 weeks?
embryonic period.
-cell differentiation begins
-beginnings of all organ systems are forming.
-Embryonic development follows a cephalocaudal pattern of development, meaning that areas near the head tend to develop first.
-By the end of the embryonic period, all bodily systems are functioning.
Three layers of cells differentiate
Ectoderm: The ectoderm will become the nervous system, nails, teeth, inner ear, eye lens, and epidermis.
Mesoderm: The mesoderm will become muscles, bones, circulatory system, and skin.
Endoderm: The endoderm will become the digestive system, lungs, urinary tract and glands.
At what stage of prenatal development does the neural tube form?
Embryonic period.
The neural tube - the precursor to the Central Nervous System.
The neural tube is created when the ectoderm folds in on itself, creating a u-shaped groove.
What is the embryo’s support system?
- the amniotic sac
- the placenta.
What are the functions of the placenta?
allowing nutrients, oxygen, and waste to pass through, while at the same time preventing maternal blood from mixing with the blood of the developing embryo.
When does the zygote enter the uterus from the fallopian tube?
Approx 4-5 days after fertilization (zygote is now referred to as the blastocyst)
What is the amniotic sac?
a liquid-filled sac in which the embryo floats, helping to protect it and maintain a constant temperature.
When does The fetal period begin?
at the end of the 2nd month and lasts until birth.
What happens during the fetal period of development?
development continues to be rapid and cephalocaudal in nature.
11-12 weeks, the fetus starts to become more active (spontaneous movements, reflexes) although movements are not felt by the mother until the fetus becomes larger, usually around 16 weeks.
20 weeks, the fetus starts to have facial expressions and begins putting on weight.
A premature birth at 20-22 weeks old has a chance of survival with significant medical intervention. However, 23 weeks is considered the age of viability, or the point at which the brain and lungs are developed enough for survival without major medical intervention.
What happens when the blastocyst becomes implanted in the uterine wall?
Begins to differentiate.
1st - into an inner cell mass that becomes the embryo
and outer mass that becomes the organism’s support system
Then the inner cell mass differentiates into several layers that will form various systems of the body
Then a fold in the top layer develops into the neural tube
What does the neural tube become?
One end of the tube will become the brain and the other the spinal cord.
The fetal experience includes
movement
sensory experiences
learning
Fetal behaviour - movement helps…
promote muscle development. Interestingly, there are large individual differences in prenatal activity, with these differences continuing into infancy. In other words, an active fetus is likely to become an active newborn.