Phases of Embryonic Development

Abdelalim Gadallah (Ph.D.)Lecturer of Comparative Anatomy and Embryology

Zoology Department, Faculty of Science,MANSOURA UNIVERSITY

EGYPT

7 steps:

1. gametogenesis2. fertilization3. cleavage4. blastulation5. gastrulation6. neurulation7. organogenesis

1.Gametogenesis is a process by which the diploid germ cells

undergo a number of chromosomal and morphological changes to form mature haploid gametes.

Animals produce gametes directly through meiosis in organs called gonads. Males and females of a species that reproduces sexually have different forms of gametogenesis:

spermatogenesis (male) in testes produce sperms. oogenesis (female) in Ovary produce ova.

Structure of sperm

Structure of ovum of sea urchin

Common terms Animal Pole: the pole (end) of the egg where

yolk is least concentrated. Animal hemisphere: the hemisphere of the egg

where animal pole is located.

Vegetal pole: the pole (end) of the egg where yolk is the most concentrated.

Vegetal hemisphere: the hemisphere of the egg where vegetal pole is located.

2.Fertilization: is the process whereby two sex cells (gametes) fuse together

to create a new individual with genetic potentials derived from both parents.

Have two separate activity:1. Combining of genes derived from the two parents.2. Creation of new organisms.Thus The first function is: Transmit genes from parents to

offspring.The second is : initiate reactions in the egg cytoplasm that

proceed development. Also,Restoration of the diploid number of chromosomes reduced

during meiosis.

It have 4 major steps:1. Sperm contacts the egg

2. Sperm or its nucleus enters the egg, and regulation of sperm entry .

3. Sperm and egg nuclei fuse

4. Egg becomes activated and developmentalchanges begin

3 .Cleavage Is the process of repeated rapid mitotic cell divisions of the

zygote (unicellular structure) to form the Blastula (multicellular structure).

The produced cells named Blastomeres. During this stage the size of the embryo does not change,

the blastomeres become smaller with each division. The type & pattern of cleavage differ from species to

species. continues divisions to form a ball of 32 cells called the

morula. The morula continues divisions to form the hollow blastula

with up to several hundred cells. The cavity of the blastula is the blastocoel.

Figure 47.8x Cleavage in a frog embryo

4 .Blastulation The result (end period) of cleavage. The production of a multicellular blastula Blastula cells are called blastomeres. A cavity forms within the ball of the cells called

the blastocoel.

Blastula of frog

Sea urchin blastula

Human blastula

Starfish development, unfertilized egg.2 blastomeres.

Starfish development,

nonmotile blastula.

4 blastomeres.

16 blastomeres. 32 blastomeres.

morula

5 .Gastrulation The morphogenetic process called gastrulation

rearranges the cells of a blastula into a three-layered (triploblastic) embryo, called a gastrula, that has a primitive gut.

It means rearrangement of blastula cells that transforms the blastula into a gastrula.

The blastula develops a hole in one end and cells start to migrate into the hole; this forms the gastrula

Characterized by cell movement. Blastocoel is gradually disappear and a new

cavity is formed Gastrocoel.

The gastrula is a three-layered embryo The formation of three primary embryonic germ

layersEndoderm (inner)Mesoderm (middle)Ectoderm (outer)

The pattern of gastrulation is affected by the amount of yolk.

The cells at the vegetal pole invaginate, initiating gastrulation.

Gastrulation in a Frog Embryo

Figure 47.10 Gastrulation in a frog embryo

6 .Neurulation

formation of a dorsal, hollow neural tubeby ectodermal cells flatten into neural plate the center of the plate sinks forming neural groove edge of plate is elevated to form neural folds neural folds fuse and form neural tube

anterior end develops into brain posterior end develops into spinal cord

Chordates Only

Neurulation

The Neural Crest The neural crest is a

critical structure that guides formation of several organ systems

The neural crest forms on either side of the point of fusion Its cells migrate to form the

dorsal root ganglia, the postganglionic sympathetic neurons, many sense organs and all pigment-forming cells

Organogenesis Organogenesis is the formation of the organs The layers are germ layers; they have specific fates

in the developing embryo: Endoderm

The innermost layer Goes on to form the gut

MesodermThe middle layer.Goes on to form the muscles, circulatory system, blood

and many different organs Ectoderm

The outermost Goes on to form the skin and nervous system

Organogenesis Begins With Development of the Nervous System

The nervous system is the first organ system to develop.

The notochord grows and induces overlying ectoderm to form the neural plate.

Cells of the neural plate fold to form the neural groove and the surrounding neural folds fuse to form the neural tube.

The anterior portion forms the brain; the rest forms the spinal cord.

7 .Organogenesis Development of organs from three primary germ

layers

Ectoderm forms:skin and associated glands, nervous

system. Mesoderm forms:

muscles, skeleton, gonads, excretory system, circulatory system.

Endoderm forms:lining of digestive tract, liver,

pancreas, lungs.

Figure 47.11 Organogenesis in a frog embryo

Somatic &Germ CellsSomatic Cells: Found in all body tissues except gonads. Contain diploid numbers of chromosomes (2N). Replacement of dead cells Reproduce by mitotic division. Functions:1. Responsible for formation of different system and

organs.2. Have other specific functionse.x.: muscular system have myoplast for contraction and

relaxation . nervous system have neurons for transmission of

impulses.

digestive system have secretory cells for secretion of enzymes for digestion.

bone have osteoplasts make hardening of bone.

Lung have cells for respiration.

Germ Cells: Found only in gonads (testes & ovary) Contain haploid number of chromosomes (1N) Reproduce by meiotic division (meiosis). Function : Formation of gametes (male & female)

Primordial germ cells Appears in the wall of the endodermal layer of the

yolk sac due to their large size and high content of alkaline phosphatase , and migrate by amoeboid movement toward the hind gut epithelium and then through dorsal mesentery reach to the primordia of the gonads ( primitive sex glands).

Become recognizable at 24 days post-fertilization. Invading the genital ridges in the 6th week of

development. The primordia of the gonads give a chemostatic

attractant for the germ cells.

Also may be the germ cells directed toward the gonads by the mature of cellular and non-cellular microenvironment that surround them.

Or by tissue rearrangement that occur in the early embryos.

If they fail to reach the ridges, the gonads will not develop.

So, it have the inductive influence on the development of gonads into ovary and testes.

Determine sex of the embryo. They will form different stages of spermatogenesis

and oogenesis in the future. Found in adult in gonads (testes and ovary)

Basic Developmental VocabularyBasic Developmental Vocabulary

Fertilization – activates egg & brings together the nuclei of the egg and sperm.

Cleavage partitions the zygote into many smaller cells.

Gastrulation rearranges the blastula to form a three-layered embryo with a primitive gut, the archenteron.

Organogenesis is the process by which the organs in the animal body form from the three embryonic germ layers.

Basic Developmental VocabularyBasic Developmental Vocabulary

Blastula – a hollow sphere of cells (128 cells) formed by cleavage of the morula. The blastula contains the blastocoel that is fluid-filled. The blastopore is the place where gastrulation begins.

Gastrulation – the process leading to the creation of the primitive gut or archenteron. Invagination at the blastopore results in the gut.

Gastrula – transformation of the blastula into an embryo possessing 3 germ layers, ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm.

Morula a solid mass of 16-64 cells formed by cleavage.

Thank you for your time.

Questions? Dr. Abdelalim Gadallah