Robles, Lady Angela M.

Performed on: August 23, 2017

2014-36452 Submitted on: August 25, 2017

Laboratory Exercise 2
Study of the Frog Embryo

Questions
1. From where are the micromeres derived? Why are they much smaller than the
macromeres?

Micromeres are derived from the 3rd cleavage which produces 4 internal and
external E. blastomeres. The 3rd cleavage plane is horizontal as compared to the 1st
and 2nd cleavage. It is shifted towards the animal pole so that the upper set of 4
blastomeres or micromeres are smaller than those below.

2. How many stages of cleavage can you identify?

Six cells stages. The 2 cell stage is where the cleavage furrow appears
vertically ending the 1st zygotic cell cycle. The 3 cell stage is when the 2 blastomeres
are cleaving incompletely in a single plane that passes through the animal pole at
right angle to plane of first cleavage. In the 8 cell stage, the cleaving is still
incomplete however it now occurs in two separate planes parallel to the first one. The
morula stage is where the blastocoel is already formed, this will be followed by the
early blastocyst where the fluid is already in the cavity between the cells, and the
expanded blastocyst stage where the blastocyst is already expanding.

3. What is the adult fate of the notochord?

The fate of the notochord is different for every species. For example in
mammals, the last vestige of the notochord can persist but it is only in the center of
the invertebral disc. This is different in the case of agnathans and most primitive bony
fishes where the notochord is not divided segmentally. In modern fishes however, the
notochord becomes an isolated pad of tissue between one vertebra and the next.

4. State 5 derivatives of the neural crest.

The derivatives of the neural crest includes the melanocyte, odontoblast,

traqueal cartilage, enterochromaffin cells and laryngeal cartilage.

Questions
1. In terms of ontogeny, differentiate the following
a. Epiphysis from hypophysis
b. Retina from organ of corti

The epiphysis originates directly in the roof of the third ventricle as an

invagination of the neurorpithelium while the hypophysis begins when the
Rathkes pouch grows and rises upward to the roof of the third ventricle.
 The retina originates as outgrowth of the developing brain, specifically the
embryonic diencephalon; thus the retina is part of the central nervous system and
is actually brain tissue. The organ of corti however, originates from the sensory
primordium within the cochlear epithelium during embryonic development of the
inner ear.

2. What is the function of the anterior choroid plexus?

The anterior choroid plexus produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and forms the
blood-CSF barrier. It also establishes and maintains the extracellular milieu
throughout the brain and spinal cord, in part by secreting numerous growth factors
into the CSF.

3. What are the adult functions of the optic lobes?

The optical lobe is the one that processes and detects visual information from
the eyes.

4. What are the adult derivatives of the myelencephalon?

The adult derivative of the myelencephalon is the medulla oblongata.

5. Aside from being a receptor organ for hearing, what is another function of the ear?

Aside from hearing, the ear also has a part in the bodys balance. The
Eustachian tube equalizes air pressure in the middle ear with the air pressure in the
atmosphere. This helps humans retains their balance. The vestibular complex in the
inner ear is also important as it contains receptors that regulate a sense of
equilibrium.

6. What is the function of the semicircular canal?

The semicircular canal is composed of three canals used to provide

information to the brain on directional balance. Each canal is filled with endolymph, a
fluid that moves and pushes the cilia, also found in the canal, back and forth to create
a motion sensor.

7. What is the fate of the endolymphatic ducts?

The endolymphatic duct passes along the aquaeductus vestibuli and ends in a
blind pouch (endolymphatic sac) on the posterior surface of the petrous portion of
the temporal bone, where it is in contact with the dura mater.

Questions
1. What is the importance of the pharyngeal pouches in development?
 The pharyngeal pouches develop into a series of structures that include the
middle ear cavity, thymus, palatine tonsil, the four parathyroid glands and the
ultimobranchial bodies of the thyroid gland.

2. What ducts empty into the common bile duct?

The ducts that empty into the common bile duct are the hepatic duct that
carries its bile first to the liver before emptying it in the common bile duct and the
cystic duct that also carries its bile first in the gallbladder before unfilling it.

3. Differentiate the liver from the pancreas in terms of histology and function.

In terms of histology, the liver is different to the pancreas because it is made

up of a different set of cells which include the hepatocytes, bile canaliculi and hepatic
sinusoids. The pancreas is composed of acini and pancreatic islets.
In terms of function, the liver is the one that destroys old blood cells and filters
toxins while the pancreas serves as the exocrine and endocrine gland.

Questions
1. Where do the mesonephric ducts empty?

The Wolfian duct also known as the mesonepheric duct is one of the paired
embryonic tubules that drains the mesonephros or the primitive kidney in the cloaca.

2. What is significance of the glomi?

The glomi is a temperature-sensitive organ of modified perivascular smooth
muscle cells which is involved in the vascular regulation of skin temperature.

3. What are the adult derivatives of the PGCs?

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are derivatives of the epiblast cells. They
migrate to through the yolk sac wall and the mesentery of the hindgut to reach the
genital ridge.

4. How many atria are present at this stage?

Two atria are present in this stage

5. Where do the subcardinal veins empty?

The subcardinal veins drain the blood from the lower half of the body into the
two common cardinal veins.

6. Where does the post cava empty anteriorly?

Anteriorly, the post cava empties blood into the right atrium of the heart.

7. What organs are drained by the hepatic portal vein?

 Digestive organs are drained by the hepatic portal vein. This includes all of
the blood from the abdominal part of the gastrointestinal tract like the lower third of
the esophagus, stomach, all 3 parts of small intestine, all parts of large intestine and
upper half of the anal canal.

8. What are the derivatives of palatoquadrate?

The derivatives of the platoquadrate are the incus (quadrate) and alisphenoid
(greater wing of sphenoid)

9. What are the functions of the Meckelian hyoid and branchial cartilages?

Meckelian hyoid is comprised of 3 distinct regions. The anterior and posterior

indergo endochondral ossification and contribute to mandibular development and on
the formation of the malleus and incus respectively. The middle region degenerates
and gives rise to the sphenomandibular ligament.
The branchial cartilage is one of the bony or cartilaginous curved bars on
either side of the pharynx throat that support the gills of fishes and amphibians.

References

Chen, P. et al. (2002). The role of Math 1 inner ear development: Uncoupling the
establishment of the sensory primordium from hair cell fate determination.
Development 129, 2495-2505.
Gilbert, S. F. (1970, January 01). The Early Development of Sea Urchins. Retrieved
August 24, 2017 from https://ww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9987/
Jones, J. (n.d.). Wolfian duct | Radiology Reference Article. Retrieved on August 24,
2017 from https://radiopedia.org/article/wolfian-duct
Dr. Bhatia Medical Coaching Institute. (n.d.). Flashcards of general embryology.
Retrieved on August 24, 2017 from https://gradestack.com/Dr. Bhatia-
Medical/Primordial-germ-cells-are/41-3-42-15553-sf
Moss-Salentjn, L. and Robinson, E. (n.d.). Pharyngeal pouches. Larsen 3rd edition p.
352.
Okudaira, M. (n.d.). Anatomy of the portal vein system and hepatic vasculature.
Portal Hypertension, 1991, pp. 3-12.,doi: 10.1007/978-4-431-68361-2-1.
Rademaker,M.(2008). Glomus tumors. Retrieved on August 24, 2017 from
https://www.dermnetzorg/topics/glomus-tumors/
William, W. et al. (1997). The endolymphatic duct and sac.