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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Embryonic Development


1. What are the four initial stages of the embryonic development?
The four initial stages of the embryonic development are the morula stage, the blastula stage, the gastrula stage and the neurula stage.

2. What is the cell division during the first stage of the embryonic development called? How is this stage characterized?
The cell division in the first stage of the embryonic developments is called cleavage, or segmentation. In this stage several mitoses occur from the zygote forming the new embryo.

3. What are the cells produced in the first stage of the embryonic development called?
The cells that result from the cleavage (the first stage of the embryonic development) are called blastomeres. In this stage the embryo is called morula (similar to a “morus”, mulberry).

4. After the morula stage what is the next stage? What is the morphological feature that defines this stage?
After passing the morula stage in which the embryo is a compact mass of cells, the next stage is the blastula stage. In the blastula stage the compactness is lost and an internal cavity filled with fluid appears inside, the blastocele.

5. After the blastula stage what is the following stage of the embryonic development? What is the passage from blastula to the next stage called?
The blastula turns into gastrula in a process known as gastrulation.

6. What is gastrulation? How during gastrulation are the first two germ layers formed? What are these germ layers?
Gastrulation is the process through which a portion of the blastula wall undergoes invagination inside the blastocele, forming a tube called archenteron (primitive intestine). The cells of the inner side of the tube form the endoderm (germ layer) and the cells of the outer side form the ectoderm (another germ layer). It is the beginning of the tissue differentiation in embryonic development.

7. What are the three types of germ layers that form tissues and organs in animals?
The three germ layers are the ectoderm, the mesoderm and the endoderm.
Germ Layers

What are the three germ layers in humans and what differentiated tissue do they each form?
Endoderm
The endoderm is one of the germ layers formed during embryogenesis.The endoderm consists at first of flattened cells, which subsequently become columnar. It forms the epithelial lining of the whole of the digestive tube excepting part of the mouth and pharynx and the terminal part of the rectum (which are lined by involutions of the ectoderm). It also forms the lining cells of all the glands which open into the digestive tube, including those of the liver and pancreas; the epithelium of the auditory tube and tympanic cavity; the trachea, bronchi, and air cells of the lungs; the urinary bladder and part of the urethra; and the follicle lining of the thyroid gland and thymus.

Mesoderm
The middle of the three germ layers, or masses of cells (lying between the ectoderm and endoderm), which appears early in the development of an embryo. In vertebrates it subsequently gives rise to muscle, connective tissue, cartilage, bone, notochord, blood, bone marrow, lymphoid tissue, and to the epithelia (surface, or lining, tissues) of blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, body cavities, kidneys, ureters, gonads (sex organs), genital ducts, adrenal cortex, and certain other tissues.

Ectoderm
The ectoderm is the start of a tissue that covers the body surfaces. It emerges first and forms from the outermost of the germ layers.The ectoderm forms: the central nervous system, the lens of the eye, cranial and sensory, the ganglia and nerves, pigment cells, head connective tissues, the epidermis, hair, and mammary glands.

here's a good way to remember

Ectoderm-- Attracto (what makes you attractive, eyes, epidermis(skin), nervous system(you get nervous when you're on your first date with an attractive woman

Mesoderm: Means: gonads(means of making kids) and all the systems except nervous system which is ur means of breathing(respiratory systems)means of having a heartbeat(circulatory system)

Endoderm: epitheal lining, urinary bladder, digestive organs, connective tissue



Saturday, December 15, 2012

Major Causes of Infertility

It is estimated that one in six couples face difficulties in conceiving. If you've had unprotected sex for more than 12 months (or, if you're over 35, six months) and are still not pregnant, you may begin to wonder if you are infertile.
If you decide to seek medical help, the best thing to do is see your doctor. Many infertility problems can be pinpointed and the vast majority treated.

The chart below outlines the most common causes, typical treatments and the percentages of couples who go on to become pregnant. Percentages are variable since multiple problems can exist in a couple. Read more about infertility treatments in our treatment chart.
FEMALE -- accounts for 35-40 per cent of all fertility problems
Definition
This condition, in which endometrial tissue (the uterine lining that sheds with each monthly period) grows outside the uterus, is a major cause of infertility in women.
Possible symptoms
Painful menstrual periods, irregular or heavy bleeding and possibly, repeated miscarriages.
Possible solutions
Laparoscopic surgery to remove abnormal tissue or unblock tubes and assisted conception treatments.
Success rates
Surgery: 40-60 per cent conceive within 18 months after surgery. IVF: usual expected success rates

Condition: Ovulation problems
Definition
Any condition (usually hormonal) that prevents the release of a mature egg from an ovary.
Possible symptoms
Absent or infrequent periods and excessively heavy or light bleeding.
Possible solutions
Ovulation-stimulating drugs such as clomiphene, follicle-stimulating hormones, human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) using these drugs.
Success rates
70 per cent ovulate and of those, 20-60 per cent get pregnant.

Condition: Poor egg quality
Definition
Eggs that become damaged or develop chromosomal abnormalities cannot sustain a pregnancy. This problem is usually age-related -- egg quality declines significantly in the late 30s and early 40s.
Possible symptoms
None.
Possible solutions
Success rates
43 per cent of women who have a fertilised donor egg implanted become pregnant.
Definition
Patients whose ovaries contain many small cysts have hormone imbalances and do not ovulate regularly.
Possible symptoms
Irregular menstrual periods, excessive hair growth, acne and weight gain.
Possible solutions
Ovulation-stimulating drugs such as clomiphene, follicle-stimulating hormones, and IVF.
Success rates
70 per cent who take fertility drugs ovulate and of those, half go on to conceive within six to nine months. Unfortunately, one in five of those pregnancies miscarries.

Condition: Female tube blockages
Definition
Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes prevent eggs from getting to the uterus and sperm from getting to the egg. Leading causes include pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, and previous sterilisation surgery.
Possible symptoms
None.
Possible solutions
Laparoscopic surgery to open tubes, if possible (small area of blockage). If surgery fails, in vitro fertilisation is an option.
Success rates
Conception rates vary widely -- from a low of 10 per cent to a high of 70 per cent -- depending on the severity of the blockage and the amount of scar tissue that develops after surgery. IVF: usual success rates.
MALE -- accounts for 35-40 per cent of all fertility problems

Condition: Male tube blockages
Definition
Any obstructions in the vas deferensor epididymis (the tubes that transport fertile sperm). Varicoceles (varicose veins) in the testicles are the most common cause of male tube blockages. Sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydiaor gonorrhoea, are also linked to tube blockage problems.
Possible symptoms
None.
Possible solutions
Surgery to repair the varicoceles or other obstruction.
Success rates
About 40 per cent are able to impregnate their partner within a year of surgery, most within six to nine months.

Condition: Sperm problems
Definition
Low or no sperm counts, poor sperm motility (the ability to move), and abnormally-shaped sperm can all cause infertility.
Possible symptoms
None.
Possible solutions
Fertility drugs may boost sperm production. Other options include artificial insemination with donor sperm and injecting sperm directly into the egg (intracytoplasmic sperm injection).
Success rates
Fertility drugs: About 25 per cent are able to impregnate a partner. Artificial insemination: 5-20 per cent of women become pregnant per cycle. Sperm injection: About 15 per cent of women get pregnant per attempt.
Condition: Sperm allergy
Defintion
Fewer than 10 per cent of infertile women and men have immune reactions to sperm, which cause them to produce antibodies that kill sperm cells. In men, this is most common after a vasectomy. This diagnosis is controversial: Click here to learn more.
Possible symptoms
None.
Possible solutions
Sperm washing and intrauterine insemination, assisted conception treatments. Immunosuppressive drugs, such as cortisone and prednisone, are sometimes used but many doctors don't recommend them.
Success rates
Success rates of 20-40 per cent per cycle have been reported for all these treatments, but these figures are considered controversial.
Unexplained and combination -- accounts for 20-35 per cent of all fertility problems

Condition: Unexplained infertility
Definition
This catch-all term is used when doctors can't find a cause for infertility after a full series of tests and assessments. Some experts think being significantly over- or underweight, exercising excessively and even environmental toxins may be contributing factors but no direct links have been confirmed.
Possible symptoms
None.
Possible solutions
Beyond timed intercourse, there is no specific treatment. Some couples try fertility drugs and assisted conception procedures such as in vitro fertilisation, which have usual success rates. Others decide not to have children.
Success rates
How long the couple has been infertile is important. Couples with unexplained infertility who have been trying for less than five years have about a 15-30 per cent chance of becoming pregnant in a given year. After five years, fewer than 10 per cent become pregnant without treatment.

Combination infertility
Definition
The term used to describe couples who have both male and female infertility problems, or when one partner has more than one fertility problem.
Possible symptoms
Symptoms vary, depending on causes.
Possible solutions
Once all infertility causes are determined, appropriate treatments follow.
Success rates
Rates vary, depending on infertility causes.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Endocrine System



Principle Endocrine Glands and their Hormones
Endocrine gland
Hormone released
Traget Tissue/Organ
Chief Functions
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamic-releasing and release-inhibiting hormones
Anterior pituitary
Regulate anterior pituitary hormones
Posterior pituitary
Antidiuretic hormone
Kidneys
Water reabsorption
Anterior pituitary
Thyroid stimulating hormone
Thyroid
Stimulates thyroid

Adrenocorticotropic hormone
Adrenal cortex
Stimulates adrenal cortex

Follicle stimulating hormone
Gonads
Controls egg and sperm production

Luteinizing hormone
Gonads
Controls sex hormone production

Prolactin
Mammary glands
Stimulates milk production

Growth hormone
Soft tissues, bones
Stimulates mitosis

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
Melanocytes in skin
Regulates skin color
Thyroid
Thyroxin
All tissues
Increases metabolic rate

Calcitonin
Bones, kidneys, intestine
Lowers blood calcium levels
Parathyroids
Parathyroid hormone
Bones, kidneys, intestine
Raises blood calcium levels
Adrenal medulla
Epinephrine and norepinephrine
Cardiac muscle
Stimulate fight or flight, raise blood glucose levels
Adrenal cortex
Glucocorticoids
All tissues
Raise blood glucose levels, breakdown proteins

Mineralcoritcoids
Kidneys
Reabsorb Na+ and secrete K+

Sex hormones
Sex organs, skin, muscles, glands
Stimulates development of secondary sex characteristics
Pancreas
Insulin
Liver, muscles, fat
Lowers blood glucose levels

Glucagon
Liver, muscles, fat
Raises blood glucose levels
Testes
Androgens
Sex organs, skin, bones, muscle
Spermatogenesis, develops secondary sex characteristics
Ovaries
Estrogen and progesterone
Sex organs, skin, bones, muscle
Growth of uterine lining, develops secondary sex characteristics
Thymus
Thymosins
T lymphocytes
Maturation of T lymphocytes
Pineal gland
Melatonin
Circadian rhythms
Involved in circadian rhythms

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Rubrics for Creative Report



 Group Nos: ______
Criteria
Poor
87%
Fair
90%
Good
93%
Very Good
97%
Excellent
100%
Content (20%)





Creativity (20%)





Organization (20%)





Props & Costume (15%)





Individual Performance (25%)
Members:
1.
2.
3.