Biology: Embryonic Development

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Questions and Answers

What is the main function of positional information in pattern formation?

To regulate the expression of muscle-specific genes

To establish the major axes of the body

To control the development of specific tissues and organs

To determine the location of a cell relative to the body axes and neighboring cells (correct)

What is the result of the activation of the master regulatory gene myoD in embryonic precursor cells?

The suppression of other muscle-specific genes

The blocking of cell cycle progression

The determination of the myoblast cell fate (correct)

The expression of myosin and other muscle proteins

What is the organism in which pattern formation has been extensively studied?

Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) (correct)

Mouse

Humans

Zebrafish

What is the role of p53 in a cell with damaged DNA?

To prevent the cell from passing on mutations Signup and view all the answers

What is the precursor cell that gives rise to a muscle fiber?

Myoblast Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a cell with irreparable DNA damage due to p53 activation?

The cell undergoes apoptosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the transcription factor MyoD?

To regulate the expression of other muscle-specific genes Signup and view all the answers

How does p53 prevent cell division in the case of DNA damage?

By activating expression of miRNAs that inhibit the cell cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of pattern formation?

The development of a spatial organization of tissues and organs Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the expression of myosin and other muscle proteins?

The formation of a muscle fiber Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome if the p53 gene is mutated and unable to function?

The cell is more likely to pass on mutations Signup and view all the answers

What is a common principle of pattern formation discovered through research in Drosophila?

The role of positional information in determining cell fate Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of protein kinases in the DNA damage response pathway?

To activate p53 Signup and view all the answers

What is the overall effect of the normal p53 pathway on the cell cycle?

Inhibition of the cell cycle Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a proto-oncogene when it undergoes translocation or transposition?

It is moved to a new locus and is under new controls. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of gene amplification of a proto-oncogene?

Multiple copies of the gene are produced. Signup and view all the answers

What type of mutation can occur within a control element of a proto-oncogene?

Point mutation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a point mutation within a proto-oncogene?

The gene produces a hyperactive or degradation-resistant protein. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a normal growth-stimulating protein produced by a proto-oncogene?

It stimulates cell growth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of having multiple copies of a proto-oncogene?

The gene is expressed more. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a new promoter in the activation of a proto-oncogene?

It enhances the expression of the gene. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a proto-oncogene and an oncogene?

A proto-oncogene is a normal gene, while an oncogene is a mutated gene. Signup and view all the answers

What can individuals inherit that contribute to the development of cancer?

Oncogenes or mutant alleles of tumor-suppressor genes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following genes is NOT associated with inherited breast cancer?

Adenomatous polyposis coli Signup and view all the answers

How can viruses contribute to the development of cancer?

By integrating into the DNA of a cell and interfering with normal gene regulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the molecule that targets HER2 receptors in the treatment of breast cancer?

Herceptin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common characteristic of tumor viruses?

They are powerful biological agents Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which RNA is converted into a protein?

Translation Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of DNA sequencing in cancer diagnosis?

To identify inherited mutations in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the gene that is associated with inherited colorectal cancer?

Adenomatous polyposis coli Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main processes that transform a zygote into an adult?

Cell division, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis Signup and view all the answers

What is cell differentiation?

The process by which cells become specialized in structure and function Signup and view all the answers

What is morphogenesis?

The physical processes that give an organism its shape Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of differential gene expression in different cell types?

Cells become specialized in structure and function Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of the program of gene regulation that is carried out as cells divide?

The materials in the egg, including RNA, proteins, and other substances Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cytoplasmic determinants in development?

They influence early development by regulating gene expression Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called induction?

The process where signal molecules from embryonic cells cause changes in nearby target cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the environment around the cell in development?

It provides the signals that induce differentiation of specialized cell types Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Embryonic Development

The transformation from zygote to adult results from cell division, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis.
Cell differentiation is the process by which cells become specialized in structure and function.
Morphogenesis is the physical process that gives an organism its shape.
Differential gene expression results from genes being regulated differently in each cell type.
Materials in the egg set up a program of gene regulation that is carried out as cells divide.

Cytoplasmic Determinants and Inductive Signals

An egg's cytoplasm contains RNA, proteins, and other substances that are distributed unevenly in the unfertilized egg.
Cytoplasmic determinants are maternal substances in the egg that influence early development.
As the zygote divides, cells contain different cytoplasmic determinants, leading to different gene expression.
The environment around the cell, especially signals from nearby embryonic cells, is the other major source of developmental information.
Induction is the process by which signal molecules from embryonic cells cause changes in nearby target cells.

Pattern Formation

Pattern formation is the development of a spatial organization of tissues and organs.
In animals, pattern formation begins with the establishment of the major axes.
Positional information, the molecular cues that control pattern formation, tells a cell its location relative to the body axes and to neighboring cells.
Pattern formation has been extensively studied in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, revealing developmental principles common to many other species, including humans.

Cancer

Mutations in the p53 gene prevent suppression of the cell cycle.
Suppression of the cell cycle can be important in the case of damage to a cell's DNA; normal p53 prevents a cell from passing on mutations.
p53 activates expression of miRNAs that inhibit the cell cycle, and can turn on genes directly involved in DNA repair.
If DNA is irreparable, p53 activates cell "suicide" genes.

Inherited Predisposition and Environmental Factors Contributing to Cancer

Individuals can inherit oncogenes or mutant alleles of tumor-suppressor genes.
Inherited mutations in the tumor-suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli are common in individuals with colorectal cancer.
Mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are found in at least half of inherited breast cancers, and tests using DNA sequencing can detect these mutations.

The Role of Viruses in Cancer

A number of tumor viruses can also cause cancer in humans and animals.
Viruses can interfere with normal gene regulation in several ways if they integrate into the DNA of a cell.
Viruses are powerful biological agents.

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Description

This quiz explores the process of embryonic development, from cell division to morphogenesis, using examples from frogs. Learn about the transformation from zygote to adult.