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definitions
the questions of developmental biology
approaches to developmental biology
o comparative embryology
o evolutionary embryology
o medical embryology & teratology
Definitions
Embryology: the study of development between fertilization
and birth (traditional definition).
zygote (fertilized egg) => developed adult body
Developmental biology: the study of all developmental
processes throughout the life of the organism; from
fertilization to death.
=============>
limited # of cell
divisions
organized
structures
Amphibian development
Ectodermal
derivatives
Mesodermal
derivatives
Endodermal
derivatives
Germ
line
Environmental integration
Anatomical approaches
Comparative embryology: studies how the anatomy of the
embryo changes during development in different
organisms.
Evolutionary embryology: studies how variations in
developmental patterns account for evolutionary change.
Medical embryology & Teratology: the study of birth defects
(genetic or induced), and what can abnormalities tell us
about the normal process of development.
Evolutionary embryology:
accumulation of genetic changes
Dachshunds:
short legs are caused by a duplication of the Fgf4
(fibroblast growth factor 4) gene, which signals cartilage
precursors cells to stop dividing and begin differentiation
Long-haired dachshund:
longer hair is caused by an additional change: a mutation
in the Fgf5 gene, which is involved in hair production
Selection of genetic
changes in dachshunds
Evolutionary embryology:
taxonomic classification
The use of larval forms for taxonomic classification:
relationships between groups of organisms have been
established by finding common embryonic or larval forms.
Example: barnacles
barnacles were originally classified as molluscs based
on adult morphology
in the 1830s, J. V. Thompson (English zoologist)
observed that larval barnacles were very similar to larval
shrimp and proposed (correctly) that barnacles should be
classified as arthropods
Barnacles
Embryonic homologies
Homologous structures are organs that have similar
functions because they are derived from a common
ancestral structure.
examples: vertebrate forelimbs
This similarity is different from that between analogous
structures, which perform similar functions but do not
arise from a common ancestor (example: the wings of
insects and birds)
Embryonic homologues:
vertebrate forelimbs
Medical embryology:
the study of malformations
Malformations are abnormalities caused by genetic events
(gene mutations and chromosomal defects).
Piebaldism is caused by a mutation in kit, a gene that
normally enables certain cell types to proliferate & migrate.
Affected cell types:
neural crest cells (the precursors of pigment cells, some ear
cells, and gut neurons responsible for peristalsis)
=> underpigmentation, deafness, and gut malformations
blood cell precursors => anemia
germ cell precursors => sterility
Magpie
Bald Eagle
RTK
Medical embryology:
Piebaldism
Phocomelia