Developmental Biology

  1. Stages of Development
    1. Gametogenesis
      1. Spermatogenesis
        1. Phases of spermatogenesis
          1. Proliferation (mitosis)
            1. Meiosis (reduction division)
              1. Spermiogenesis (transformation)
              2. Hormonal regulation
                1. Role of testosterone
                  1. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) influence
                  2. Spermatogenic cycle dynamics
                    1. Cycle length
                      1. Regulation of sequential cell divisions
                    2. Oogenesis
                      1. Phases of oogenesis
                        1. Oogonia multiplication
                          1. Meiotic arrest and resumption
                            1. Maturation of oocytes
                            2. Hormonal control
                              1. Estrogen impact
                                1. Luteinizing hormone (LH) surges
                                2. Follicular development
                                  1. Primordial to pre-ovulatory follicle transformation
                                    1. Atresia and its mechanisms
                                3. Fertilization
                                  1. Mechanisms of fertilization
                                    1. Sperm-egg recognition and binding
                                      1. Acrosome reaction and its triggers
                                        1. Penetration of the zona pellucida
                                        2. Egg activation
                                          1. Ca2+ signaling in activation
                                            1. Molecular events after activation
                                              1. Prevention of polyspermy
                                                1. Fast and slow block mechanisms
                                            2. Cleavage
                                              1. Patterns of cleavage
                                                1. Holoblastic vs. meroblastic cleavage
                                                  1. Radial and spiral patterns
                                                    1. Symmetry and its implications
                                                    2. Cellular mechanisms
                                                      1. Cytokinesis in early embryos
                                                        1. Maternal factors in cleavage control
                                                          1. Role of the cytoskeleton
                                                        2. Gastrulation
                                                          1. Germ layer formation
                                                            1. Origin of ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm
                                                              1. Inductive signals guiding differentiation
                                                              2. Cell movement and fate mapping
                                                                1. Invagination, involution, and epiboly
                                                                  1. Lineage tracing techniques
                                                                    1. Cell signaling pathways involved
                                                                  2. Organogenesis
                                                                    1. Neural tube formation
                                                                      1. Neurulation process
                                                                        1. Role of notochord and neural crest cells
                                                                          1. Neural tube defects and preventive measures
                                                                          2. Limb development
                                                                            1. Apical ectodermal ridge (AER) function
                                                                              1. Zone of polarizing activity (ZPA) signaling
                                                                                1. Digit patterning and growth
                                                                                2. Organ and tissue specification
                                                                                  1. Activation of transcription factors
                                                                                    1. Functional morphogenesis
                                                                                      1. Interactions between organ rudiments
                                                                                        1. Development of major organs (e.g., heart, lungs, liver)
                                                                                    2. Key Concepts in Developmental Biology
                                                                                    First Page
                                                                                    4. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms