BIO DEV2011 

DEV2011 LECTURE NOTES
Week 1: Introduction to Developmental Biology 11th of March (1)
The study of developmental biology originally (prior to the 20th Century) arose out of an integration
of:
 Embryology: descriptive study of embryonic development
 Cytology: study of cellular structure and function
 Genetics: study of inheritance
 Teratology: the study of monsters

WEEK 2: EVO DEVO & MODEL ORGANISMS – 18th March (1)
 All organisms are related by descent
 Life emerged some 3.8 billion years ago (simple bacteria)
 Single cells evolved into multicellular cells which resulted in diversification
 

WEEK 2b: EMBRYO GASTRULATION AND
GERM LAYERS – 25th March (1)
Lecture Objectives:
o Identify and name the
anatomical structures of
embryos undergoing
cleavage, delamination,
implantation and
gastrulation

WEEK 2B LECTURE 2: GERM LINEAGE AND SEX DETERMINATION
Overview:
 Multicellular eukaryotes are made of two fundamental cell types: somatic and germ cells
 Germ cells produce gametes and are the only cells that can undergo meiosis as well as
mitosis.
 These cells are sometimes said to be immortal because they form the link between
generation
 A germ cells is defined as any biological cell that gives rise to the gametes of an organism
that reproduces sexually

NEXT LECTURE NOTES: WEEK 4 CELLULAR EVENTS IN NEUROGENESIS
HOW Do neurons connect each other?
- Some connect locally within a small region, others connect
- Actin microfilaments push out the cell membrane
- As the axon extends it keeps growing as far as it can grow
How are axons guided to their targets?
- The growth cone has to search for its target and not go in the wrong direction
- Two main types of cytoskeletal elements in the axon