Animal embryology

lbio1332  2019-2020  Louvain-la-Neuve

Animal embryology
Note from June 29, 2020
Although we do not yet know how long the social distancing related to the Covid-19 pandemic will last, and regardless of the changes that had to be made in the evaluation of the June 2020 session in relation to what is provided for in this learning unit description, new learnig unit evaluation methods may still be adopted by the teachers; details of these methods have been - or will be - communicated to the students by the teachers, as soon as possible.
3 credits
25.0 h + 15.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Rezsohazy René;
Language
French
Main themes
The course begins with the analysis of the basic mechanisms of embryonic development (morphogenesis, induction, cellular differentiation, apoptosis, axis determination, gene development, asexual and sexual reproduction, etc..) These mechanisms are illustrated by the knowledge acquired from model animals. This is then followed by a step-by-step and comparative description of the mammalian and avian development (gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, neurulation, implantation, placentation, organogenesis, …).
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 To understand the unity of the animal kingdom, through the analysis of the basic mechanisms of embryonic development shared by distinct animal phyla. These mechanisms are considered in an evolutionary perspective. To approach the diversity of the animal kingdom, through the description of remarkable and distinctive peculiarities of developmental processes representative of different animal phyla. The link between evolution and development is emphasized. To acquire a more detailed knowledge of the embryonic and fetal development of Vertebrates. A particular focus on Mammals is provided.
 

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
Content
Part I: Basic processes of embryonic development Original question: what is embryonic development? Fundamental Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms 1) Developmental and Reproductive Cycles 2) Cellular Multiplication 3) Differentiation: Cellular Destiny and Potentiality 4) Differentiation: Specification, Restriction and Determination. 5) Intercellular communication. 6) Apoptosis 7) Morphogenesis and cell movements 8) Genes of development 9) Sexual and asexual reproduction 10) At the beginning of form: The question of the chicken and the egg .... The main stages of the embryonic development of model animals 1) The main stages of early development 2) The early development of a model echinoderm: the sea urchin 3) Caenorhabditis elegans: model for developmental geneticists 4) Insects: the Drosophilian model 5) The ascidian and amphioxus: chorded models 6) The fish 7) Amphibians
Part 2: Early embryonic development and organogenesis Early development 1) Gametogenesis 2) Fertilization 3) Segmentation 4) Gastrulation Organogenesis 1) The delineation of the embryo and its appendices 2) Extraembryonic appendages 3) The face, the oral cavity and the pharynx 4) The respiratory system 5) The digestive system 6) The serous cavities and the mesos 7) The musculoskeletal system 8) The circulatory system 9) The uro- genital 10) The nervous system 11) Skin and sense organs. Exercises: monitorat
Teaching methods
Ex cataedra
Evaluation methods
Oral examination in three parts, with written preparation of one hour for the first two parts which correspond to two questions drawn by lot. A question drawn for the first part of the course, another for the second part, then a discussion on some points repeated here and there in the course, without preparation.
Other information
Precursory courses: - Biologie animale BIO1111 - Compléments de biologie animale BIO1231 - Introduction à la génétique BIO1221
Support - Course notes in two volumes, by Moens, A. and Rezsohazy, R., UCL; slides files.
Online resources
Course notes and images accessible via Moodle
Teaching materials
  • Syllabus et images disponibles sur Moodle
Faculty or entity
BIOL


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Master [120] in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology

Additionnal module in Biology

Minor in Biology