The following outline is my attempt at summarizing the complex process of human fertilization and the phenomenal growth and development that occurs during the human gestation period, as well as an overview of the resulting organizational structure. PART I - HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
The events that occur from conception until birth are all part of pregnancy. The human gestation period is normally 280 days, from the start of the females last menstrual period until birth. Preembryonic development takes place from fertilization until 2 weeks after fertilization. Embryonic development occurs from 3 to 8 weeks after fertilization. Fetal development takes place from 9 weeks after fertilization until birth.
I. Fertilization
A. Accomplishing fertilization
1. Fertilization occurs when a sperm fuses with an egg to form a fertilized egg, or a zygote.
2. Sperm transport & capacitation
- a. Millions of sperm are expelled during copulation.
- b. A few thousand reach the uterine tubes.
- c. Capacitation is the process of the sperms' membranes becoming fragile so that enzymes can be released. (6-8 hours).
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3. Acrosomal reaction and sperm penetration
- a. Hundreds of sperm must release their acrosomes to break down an eggs zona pellucida.
- b. ONE sperm binds to the receptors on an egg and inserts itself into the eggs membrane.
- c. The egg and sperm membranes open and the two fuse together.
4. Polyspermy
- a. Polyspermy is the entry of several sperm into one egg.
- b. Polyspermy does not occur in humans.
5. Completion of Meiosis II and Fertilization
- a. The sperm loses its tail and midpiece and migrates to the center of the ooctye.
- b. The ovum and sperm nuclei swell and approach.
- c. Mitotic spindle develops and membranes rupture, releasing chromosomes.
- d. Chromosomes combine and a zygote is produced.
B. Preembryonic Development (Fertilization through implantation in uterine wall)
1. Cleavage and blast formation
- a. Cleavage is a period of rapid mitotic divisions of the zygote, which eventually results in the formation of a blastocyst, or fluid-filled sphere made of a single-layer of flat cells.
2. Implantation
- a. Implantation of blastocysts into uterine wall takes place about 6-7 days after ovulation.
- b. Lasts for period of 1 week.
- c. Blastocysts buries itself deep into endometrium.
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3. Placentation
- a Placentation is the forming of the placenta the temporary organ that originates from embryonic and maternal tissues.
- b. The fetal side of the placenta is slick and smooth.
- c. The maternal side of the placenta is lumpy.
- d. The placenta detaches after birth and is expelled from the mother in the afterbirth.
- e. The placenta functions as the developing fetus' nutritive, respiratory, excretory, and endocrine organ.
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II. Events of Embryonic Development
A. Formation & Roles of Embryonic Membranes
1. Blastocyst is converted to a gastrula, where the germ layers form and embryonic membranes are made.
2.Embryonic membranes include the amnion, or bag of waters, yolk sac, allantois, and chorion. - a. The amnion is filled with amniotic fluid, and it protects against physical trauma, maintains homeostatic temperature, and prevents embryonic parts from fusing together.
- b. The yolk sac forms part of the digestive tube, produces early blood cells and vessels, and is the source of germ cells that seed the gonads.
- c. The allantois is a small outpocket at the end of the yolk sac, and is the structural base for the umbilical cord. It becomes part of the adult bladder.
- d. The chorion is the outermost membrane that encloses the embryonic body and all other membranes.
3. The first germ cells are two flat sheets of cells stacked on one another.
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B. Gastrulation: Germ Layer Formation
1. Gastrulation is the forming of a 3 layered embryo from the 2 flat layers of stacked cells. The flat layers roll up and form a tube.
- a. At least 50% and up to 80-90% of all embryos do not survive gastrulation, and are released in the womens menstrual flow.
- b. Three germ layers serve as the tissue from which all other body organs will be made.
- c. The notochord forms, which is a rod representing the long axis of the body. The notochord becomes the vertebrae and ribs.
- d. The neural tube also develops, which eventually becomes the brain and the spinal cord.
2. The endoderm is the most inferior layer.
3. The mesoderm is the middle layer.
4. The ectoderm is on the embryos dorsal surface.
C. Organogenesis: Differentiation of Germ Layers
1. Organogenesis is the formation of body organs and systems from the three germ layers.
2. Specialization of Ectoderm
- a. Neuralation is the differentiation of the ectoderm, which forms the brain and spinal cord from the neural tube.
- b. Remainder of the ectoderm forms the epidermis of the skin.
3. Specialization of the Endoderm
- a. Forms epithelial linings of digestive and respiratory systems, and related glands.
4. Specialization of Mesoderm
- a. Forms just about everything else in the body, including bones and muscles.
- b. The mesoderm splits during gastrulation, and some sticks to the inside of the tube, and some to the outside. The outer tube is the somatic or parietal tube, and will form the skin, skeleton, skeletal muscles, and nervous system. The inside of the tube is the gut or viscera, and will form the digestive system, liver, pancreas, and lungs.
- c. The coelem is formed between the 2 mesodermal layers, which becomes the ventral cavity.
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D. Development of Fetal Circulation
1. Cardiovascular system is basis for early circulation.
- a. Endothelial cells form vascular networks, which will eventually be the heart, blood vessels, and lymphs.
- b. By end of week 3, the heart is working.
- c. Ductus arteriosus, foramen ovale, ductus venosus, umbilical arteries, and umbilical cord are all structures that are only present during fetal development.
- d. The circulatory pattern & cardiovascular system changes at birth.
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By birth, an average human fetus weighs about 6-10 pounds, and is about 22 inches long. By examining the process of human development above, we can observe that there are many levels of structural organization in the human body, which have developed as part of evolution.
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PART II. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
A. Chemical Level
1. Atoms combine to form molecules.
2. Molecules combine to form organelles, the basic unit of living cells.
Example: An atom of carbon
B. Cellular Level
1. Basic unit of structure/function.
2. Many different types.
Example: Smooth muscle cell
C. Tissue Level
1. Group of cells having a common function. 4 major types:
- a. Skeletal tissue
- b. Muscle tissue
- c. Epithileal tissue
- d. Connective tissue
D. Organ Level
1. Structures made of at least 2 tissue groups, working together on a specific function.
Example: Heart (made of cardiac muscle tissue)
E. Organ System level
1. Groups of organs that have a common function.
- a. Integumentary: of skined ofskin, hair, nails. Protects from injury.
- b. Skeletal: Composed of bones and joints. Frame for muscles to provide movement, site of blood cell formation, and stores minerals.
- c. Muscular: Made of skeletal muscles. Locomotion, expression, posture, and heat production. - - d. Nervous: Brain, spinal cord, nerves, sensory receptor. Control center of body.
- e. Endocrine: Glands. Secrete hormones that regulate body processes.
- f. Cardiovascular: Heart and blood vessels. Transportation and pumping of blood.
- g. Lymphatic: Lymph nodes, spleen, red bone marrow, thymus, lymphatic vessels, and thoracic duct. Immunity.
- h. Respiratory: Nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs, and bronchus. Supplies blood with O2 and removes CO2.
- i. Digestive: Oral cavity, esophagus, liver, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus. Breaks down food and eliminates feces.
- j. Urinary: Kidney, ureter, urinary bladder, and urethra. Eliminates nitrogen containing waste from body, regulates water, and regulates electrolytes and acid-bases in blood.
- k. Reproductive: In the male, penis, testis, prostate gland, ductus deferens, and scrotum. In the female, mammary glands, ovary, uterine tube, uterus, and vagina. Production of offspring.
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F. Organismal level
1. All structures working together in order for the organism to live.
Example: ME!
Once the human body is formed, there are eight functions that must take place in order for the body to function properly:
1. Maintain boundaries to allow an organism to maintain separate and internal & external environments.
2. Movement allows the organism to travels the transport of molecules within the organism.
3. Responsiveness is the ability to detect changes in the internal or external environment and respond to them.
4. Digestion is the process of breaking down food into molecules that are usable by the body.
5. Metabolism includes all chemical reactions that occur.
6. Excretion is the process of removing wastes.
7. Reproduction is the process of producing more cells or organisms.
8. Growth is an increase in size of body parts or of the whole organism.
Furthermore, in order for these life functions to take place, an organism needs:
1. Nutrients that are used by the organism for energy and cell building.
2. Oxygen for chemical reactions that release energy from foods.
3. Water for chemical reactions and as an outlet for secretions and excretions.
4. Normal body temperature for chemical reactions to occur normally.
5. Atmospheric pressure for normal breathing.
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With all of these elements in place, the body works to maintain homeostasis.
A.Homeostasis
1. Homeostasis is the ability of the body to maintain a stable internal environment, regardless of external changes. Imbalance in body often results in disease.
2. There are 4 parts of the control mechanism:
- a. The variable is the regulated factor or event.
- b. The receptor is the structure that monitors changes in the environment and sends information to the control center.
- c. The control center determines the set point for a variable, analyzes input, and coordinates responses.
- d. The effector is the structure that carries out the response directed by the control center.
3. Positive Feedback Mechanisms
- a. Cause variable to change in the same directions as the original change, resulting in a greater deviation from the set point.
- b. Most positive feedback mechanisms are not related to homeostatic maintenance.
4. Negative Feedback Mechanisms
- a. Most mechanisms are negative.
- b. Cause the variable to change in a way that opposes the initial change. Goal is to prevent sudden, severe change.