Tuesday 23rd February 2010

Human Life Cycle

Mohammed Jawad
mj606@ic.ac.uk
 This Stuff Is Hard...
So Im only going through the hard parts

Learn to think in 3D

Learn the rest yourself Ill tell you what you

should know

Get a textbook / CD out

The Main Aim of This Tutorial
Weeks 0 4
Week One
 Fertilisation just before
Gametes: Sperm and secondary oocyte

Where?: Ampullary region of the uterine tube (widest part + close to ovary)

Result: Zygote
At this stage, the oocyte
How?: completes MEIOSIS II
1) Sperm undergoes:
- capacitation
- acrosome reaction

2) Sperm penetrates:
- corona radiata
- zona pellucida function: (i) prevent multiple sperm entry
(ii) permits implantation at correct site
Transverse
View
 Fertilisation just after
Oocyte membrane becomes impenetrable

Zona pellucida alters structure and prevents multiple sperm entry

Oocyte undergoes second meiotic division forming a definitive oocyte and a polar
body. Definitive oocyte is known as the female pronucleus

Sperms nucleus swells and forms the male pronucleus

Pronuclei
2 haploid nuclei within fertilised egg before they fuse together
 Fertilisation main results
1) Restoration of the diploid number of chromosomes half from each parent

2) Determination of sex XX or XY

3) Initiation of cleavage divides cytoplasm in two

 Cleavage
Mitotic divisions
Cells increase now known as blastomeres

Zona pellucida disappears after 4th / 5th day

30 hrs 48 hrs 3 days

4.5 - 5 days 6 days

4 days
Sperm and
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte
 Implantation
Now hitting Day 8...
Inner cell mass now called embryoblast
Outer cell mass now called trophoblast

Cytotrophoblast mitotically active, migrate to

Trophoblast syncytiotrophoblast; does not invade maternal tissue

Syncytiotrophoblast expanding mass; invasive will

form placental villi
 Key Words to Learn
Gametes Morula
Ampullary region Blastocyst
Zygote Inner cell mass /
Capacitation embryoblast
Acrosome reaction Outer cell mass /
Corona radiata trophoblast
Zona pellucida Cytotrophoblast
Pronucleus Syncytiotrophoblast
Sperm and Outer Cell Mass Trophoblast
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte Inner Cell Mass

Embryoblast
Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast
Week Two
 Day Eight Bilaminar Disc
ICM two layers:

Epiblast Form the bilaminar disc

Hypoblast enlarges
Sperm and Outer Cell Mass Trophoblast
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte Inner Cell Mass

Hypoblast Embryoblast
Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast
Epiblast
 Day Eight Amniotic Cavity
Epiblast: cavity appears amniotic cavity

Amnioblasts line the amniotic cavity

 Day Ten Exocoelomic cavity
Exocoelomic cavity: formed when cells from the hypoblast line the
cytotrophoblast
Will soon become the primary yolk sac and then the secondary yolk sac
 Day Ten Extraembryonic Coelom
Extraembryonic coelom / chorionic cavity: formed by large cavities in the
extraembryonic mesoderm
 Sperm and Outer Cell Mass Trophoblast
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte Inner Cell Mass

Yolk Sac Hypoblast Embryoblast

Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast
Epiblast
 Day Thirteen More stuff happens
1) Secondary / definitive yolk sac: New name for the primitive yolk
sac, formed when cells from hypoblast migrate inside of exocoelomic
membrane (formed from exocoelomic cavity)

2) Cysts can be formed during the formation of the secondary yolk sac
pinched off, useless

3) Extraembryonic coelom expands and forms the chorionic cavity

4) Connecting stalk: where extraembryonic mesoderm traverses

through the chorionic cavity. Develops into the umbilical cord.
aka
chorionic
cavity
 So far three cavities
Amniotic Cavity
Will eventually surround the embryo after folding

Secondary Yolk Sac

Formerly primary yolk sac, which was formerly the
exocoelomic cavity

Chorionic Cavity
Formerly EXTRAembryonic coelom
Chorionic cavity eventually
goes!
Imagine pumping a football

 Quick Summary
Fertilised egg cleaves and implants
Bilaminar disc forms (epiblast and
hypoblast)
Cavities start forming (amniotic, yolk sac,
chorionic)

Cue Simbyro
 Gastrulation Day 15/16
Result: Bilaminar disc Trilaminar disc

Epiblast & Hypoblast Ectoderm & Mesoderm & Endoderm

Arguably the most important part of embryogenesis!!! Ive divided it into

four steps for simplicity.
 Sperm and Outer Cell Mass Trophoblast
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte Inner Cell Mass

Yolk Sac Hypoblast Embryoblast

Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast
Epiblast

GASTRULATION
Endoderm Mesoderm Ectoderm
 Gastrulation
Step One

Formation of primitive streak on surface of epiblast

Becomes a narrow groove

Birds eye view [dorsal view] of bilaminar disc (dont forget the amniotic
cavity and other bits and bobs are still there!)

Caudal end Cranial end

 Gastrulation
Step Two
Cells of the epiblast migrate towards the primitive streak

Birds eye view [dorsal view] of bilaminar disc (dont forget the amniotic cavity and
other bits and bobs are still there!)
Cranial end

Caudal end
 Gastrulation
Step Three

Epiblast cells invaginate beneath the epiblast at primitive node, spreading out in
between the epiblast and hypoblast

Transverse view
 Gastrulation
Step Four

Some cells displace the hypoblast, forming the endoderm

Others lie in between the endoderm and epiblast, forming the mesoderm

Those remaining in the epiblast form the ectoderm

 Sperm and Outer Cell Mass Trophoblast
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte Inner Cell Mass

Yolk Sac Hypoblast Embryoblast

Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast
Epiblast

Endoderm Mesoderm Ectoderm

 Notochord Formation Day
Seventeen
Where: At primitive node (cephalic end of the primitive streak)
How?: Invaginating epiblast cells (prenotochordal cells)

[cephalic = relating to the head]

[caudal = at or near the tail / posterior end]
[cranial = relating to the skull]

Results: CNS
 Notochord Formation
Prenotochordal cells invaginate into the primitive pit
They intercalate with the hypoblast
They proliferate, detach and form a solid cord of cells the notochord

Function:
Underlies the neural tube
Basis for the axial skeleton
Along with the mesoderm, it induces the ectoderm to become the
neuroectoderm

Amniotic cavity

Ectoderm / Neuroectoderm

Notochord Mesoderm
Endoderm
Yolk sac
 Sperm and Outer Cell Mass Trophoblast
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte Inner Cell Mass

Yolk Sac Hypoblast Embryoblast

Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast
Epiblast

Endoderm Mesoderm Ectoderm

Neuroectoderm
Neural Plate & Neural Tube Formation
- Neurulation
1) Ectoderm becomes the neuroectoderm
2) Lateral edges of neural plate elevate to form the neural fold
3) Neural folds approach each other and fuse, forming the neural tube

Neural tube = brain (wide) and spinal cord (narrow)

Neural crest cells migrate into underlying mesoderm

DAY 21
DAY 17

Ectoderm
 Sperm and Outer Cell Mass Trophoblast
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte Inner Cell Mass

Yolk Sac Hypoblast Embryoblast

Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast
Epiblast

Endoderm Mesoderm Ectoderm

Neuroectoderm

Neural Tube Neural Crest Cells

 Just another perspective of
neurulation...
Day 17 Day 18 Day 21
 Whats the point of neurulation?
Neural tube:
-CNS & PNS
-Retina
-Pineal body

Neural crest cells:

-Melanocytes
-Glial & Schwann cells
-Cranial nerves
-Odontoblasts
-Connective tissue and bones of face & skull

Note that this is only what the neuroectoderm forms the ectoderm still forms a
whole load of other stuff that make contact with the outside world!

So far, weve covered what happens at the ectoderm (2 more layers to go!)
 Sperm and Outer Cell Mass Trophoblast
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte Inner Cell Mass

Yolk Sac Hypoblast Embryoblast

Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast
Epiblast

Epidermis
Nails
Endoderm Mesoderm Ectoderm Internal ear
Lens of eye

Neuroectoderm

Neural Tube Neural Crest Cells

Melanocytes
CNS Glial & Schwann cells
PNS Cranial nerves
Retina Odontoblasts
Pineal body Connective tissue & bones
of face & skull
Cells of the adrenal medulla
 Mesoderm

Divides into three paraxial, intermediate and lateral

Each has their own function

Lateral Intermediate Paraxial

Visceral and Urogenital system Somites:

parietal layer Sclerotome
Myotome
Dermatome
 Sperm and Outer Cell Mass Trophoblast
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte Inner Cell Mass

Yolk Sac Hypoblast Embryoblast

Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast
Epiblast

Epidermis
Nails
Endoderm Mesoderm Ectoderm Internal ear
Lens of eye

Neuroectoderm

Lateral Intermediate Paraxial

Neural Tube Neural Crest Cells

Melanocytes
CNS Glial & Schwann cells
PNS Cranial nerves
Retina Odontoblasts
Pineal body Connective tissue & bones
of face & skull
Cells of the adrenal medulla
Lateral Mesoderm a quick note
Divides into two layers due to presence of the coelom:

- Splanchnic / Visceral surrounds organs

Learn these terms for anatomy!
- Somatic / Parietal lines body cavities

How the lateral mesoderm works:

-One layer is adherent to the ectoderm - parietal

-One layer is adherent to the endoderm - visceral
 Folding
The embryo undergoes two types of folding:

1) Lateral folding
- result: disc cylinder ie 3D baby!

2) Cephalocaudal folding
- result: cylinder cylinder with end foldings ie HEAD AND TAIL

Both occur approximately on day 21

 Lateral Folding
Try and follow whats happening...

Intraembryonic
cavity starting to
form
 -Ectoderm

Lateral Folding
-Lateral Mesoderm:
-Parietal Mesoderm
-Visceral Mesoderm
-Gut Formation

Lateral Mesoderm

Transverse View
Pictures are good n all, but you have to learn to describe this fold in words!!
 Cephalocaudal Folding

Dorsal View Dorsal View Transverse View

 Sperm and Outer Cell Mass Trophoblast
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte Inner Cell Mass

Yolk Sac Hypoblast Embryoblast

Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast
Epiblast

Epidermis
Nails
Endoderm Mesoderm Ectoderm Internal ear
Lens of eye

Gut
Glands Neuroectoderm
Liver
Pancreas Lateral Intermediate Paraxial

Neural Tube Neural Crest Cells

Urogenital
Heart Melanocytes
Spleen CNS Glial & Schwann cells
Adrenals PNS Cranial nerves
Parietal / Somatic Layer Sclerotome - bone Retina Odontoblasts
Visceral / Splanchnic Myotome - muscle Pineal body Connective tissue & bones
Layer Dermatome - skin of face & skull
Cells of the adrenal medulla
 Key Words to Learn
Bilaminar disc Ectoderm, Mesoderm,
Epiblast & Hypoblast Endoderm
Amniotic cavity Prenotochordal cells
Exocoelomic cavity Neuroectoderm
Exocoelomic membrane Neurulation
Extraembryonic mesoderm Neural plate, fold & tube
Extraembryonic coelom / Neural crest cells
chorionic cavity Lateral, intermediate and
Connecting stalk paraxial mesoderm
Exocoelomic cyst Splanchnic / Visceral
Trilaminar disc Somatic / Parietal
Gastrulation Intraembryonic coelom
Primitive streak Lateral folding
Cephalocaudal folding
Ok I give up...
What you still have to learn
yourselves...
Mechanism of erection (diagrams and written)
Menstrual cycle
hCg
IVF, GIFT, IUI
Chromosomal abnormalities
Environmental abnormalities
Genetic abnormalities
Ectopic pregnancies
Genetic regulation of development (eg Hox)
Source of nutrition of embryo and when
Heamochorial definition
Tissue layers between mother and foetus
Placenta permeability gases, metabolites, IgG
Decidualisation and HLA antigens
Maternal cardiac output through uterus
Pre-eclampsia
Y-chromosome lecture
And probably a whole load of other stuff I havent mentioned
Questions I Faced Last Year
Draw and describe the mechanism
of an erection (5)
Label the following diagram (4)
 MCQs
The paramesonephric (Mllerian) ducts in
the female develop into:
Uterine Tubes
Uterus
Lower Vagina
Upper Vagina
Cervix
 MCQs
The paramesonephric (Mllerian) ducts in
the female develop into:
Uterine Tubes T
Uterus T
If you read the slides, that
Lower Vagina F was an easy 5 marks!
Upper Vagina T
Cervix F
 MCQs
The following structures are involved in
the development of the genitourinary
tract:
Cloaca
Intermediate Mesoderm T
Paraxial Mesoderm F
Ectoderm F
Allantois
 MCQs
The following structures are involved in
the development of the genitourinary
tract:
Cloaca T
Intermediate Mesoderm T
Paraxial Mesoderm F
Ectoderm F
Allantois T
 So Dont Fret Younguns
Most of what you need are straight from
lecture slides
But still get a textbook out to help you
make sense of it all
And remember the overlap with Endo
 Thanks guys!

Thats me done for this year

Dont panic yet you can learn this by repetition!

Good luck with your exams and stuff

Any questions, queries, rants mj606@ic.ac.uk

Twas a pleasure teaching you why not do the same for us next year?!
 Sperm and Outer Cell Mass Trophoblast
secondary Pronuclei Morula Blastocyst
oocyte Inner Cell Mass

Yolk Sac Hypoblast Embryoblast

Syncytiotrophoblast Cytotrophoblast
Epiblast

Epidermis
Nails
Endoderm Mesoderm Ectoderm Internal ear
Lens of eye

Gut
Glands Neuroectoderm
Liver
Pancreas Lateral Intermediate Paraxial

Neural Tube Neural Crest Cells

Urogenital
Heart Melanocytes
Spleen CNS Glial & Schwann cells
Adrenals PNS Cranial nerves
Parietal / Somatic Layer Sclerotome - bone Retina Odontoblasts
Visceral / Splanchnic Myotome - muscle Pineal body Connective tissue & bones
Layer Dermatome - skin of face & skull
Cells of the adrenal medulla