Biologia dello Sviluppo 2

Knowledge and understanding: the course aims to provide in-depth knowledge regarding the general characteristics and significance of the various stages of embryonic development in invertebrates and vertebrates. The mechanisms underlying cellular differentiation are also examined.

Applying knowledge and understanding: acquisition of fundamental knowledge concerning the stages of embryonic development and key morphogenetic movements.

Making judgments: ability to critically analyze the similarities and differences in the embryonic development stages of various model organisms.

Communication skills: the student is able to effectively communicate the knowledge acquired, analyzing the topics covered in the syllabus using logical reasoning.

Learning skills: the student will be able to develop an independent study method and express themselves using the specific terminology of the discipline.

Lessons and labs.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

Notions acquired during the Cytology and Histology course are mandatory.

Attendance of the courses is mandatory. Attendance is understood to have been acquired if the student has attended at least 60% of the curricular hours provided for by the discipline. 

The origins of developmental biology. Reproduction: meaning and methods. General characteristics and significance of meiosis and mitosis. Spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. Morphology and structure of the spermatozoon. Capacitation. Oogenesis. Interaction between oocyte and accessory cells. Organization of the egg cell and its maturation. Types of egg and ovular coatings. Fertilization: general characteristics. Mechanisms of interaction between gametes: recognition between sperm and egg; attraction of the spermatozoon; sperm activation. Contact and fusion of gametes. Notes on in vitro fertilization. The metabolic activation of the egg and its meaning: early reactions and late reactions. Phosphatidylinositol cascade. Cytoplasmic determinants: their genesis and segregation during egg activation of Nematodes, Insects, Mollusks, Echinoderms, Tunicates and Amphibians. Segmentation: holoblastic (radial, spiral, bilateral and rotational) and meroblastic (discoid and superficial). Distribution of cytoplasmic determinants during segmentation. Types of blastules: celoblastule and sterroblastule; presumptive territories. Gastrulation. The morphogenetic movements. The embryonic sheets and their derivatives. Neurulation and formation of the general plan of the body. Early stages of the embryonic development of: sea urchin, amphioxus, amphibians, birds and mammals. The embryonic annexes. Cell differentiation mechanisms: preformism and epigenesis. Germ plasma theory. Mosaic and regulatory development: polyembryony. Primary and secondary induction: organizers and competence; regional specificity of induction; molecular mechanisms of induction. Nieuwkoop's center and mesoderm induction. Nuclear transplants: general information. Equivalence of the genome and differential gene expression.

Developmental Biology, Developmental Biology, Scott F. Gilbert, Michael J. F. Barresi, 2016.

Notes provided by professor

Oral exam.

Grade assignment criteria: the highest grade is assigned to the student who has demonstrated mastery of the topics, ability to relate acquired knowledge, expository skills and mastery of the disciplinary vocabulary. Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, should the conditions require it.

Morphogenetic determinants; induction, segmentation and gastrulation; fertilization.