DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Development - CORRECT ANSWER-the process of
progressive and continuous change that generates a complex
multicellular organism from a single cell. Development occurs
throughout embryogenesis, maturation to the adult form, and
continues into senescence.
Zygote - CORRECT ANSWER-a fertilized egg with a diploid
chromosomal complement in its zygote nucleus generated by
fusion of the haploid male and female pronuclei.
Embryology - CORRECT ANSWER-the study of animal
development from fertilization to hatching or birth.
Developmental Biology - CORRECT ANSWER-the discipline
that studies embryonic and other developmental processes,
such as replacement of old cells by new, regeneration,
metamorphosis, aging, and development of disease states
such as cancer.
Differentiation - CORRECT ANSWER-the process by which an
unspecialized cell becomes specialized into one of the many
cell types that make up the body.
Morphogenesis - CORRECT ANSWER-the organization of the
cells of the body into functional structures via coordinated cell
growth, and cell death.
, Stem Cells - CORRECT ANSWER-a relatively undifferentiated
cell from the embryo, fetus, or adult that divides and when it
does so, produces 1) one cell that retains its undifferentiated
character and remains in the stem cell niche; and 2) a second
cell that leaves the niche and can undergo one or more paths
of differentiation.
Embryogenesis - CORRECT ANSWER-the stages of
development between fertilization and hatching (or birth).
Fertilization - CORRECT ANSWER-fusion of male and female
gametes followed by fusion of the haploid gamete nuclei to
restore the full complement of chromosomes characteristic of
the species and initiation in the egg cytoplasm of those
reactions that permit development to proceed.
Gamete - CORRECT ANSWER-a specialized reproductive cell
through which sexually reproducing parents pass
chromosomes to their offspring; an egg or a sperm.
Pronuclei - CORRECT ANSWER-the male and female haploid
nuclei within a fertilized egg that fuse to form the diploid
nucleus of the zygote.
Genome - CORRECT ANSWER-the complete DNA sequence
of an individual organism.
Cleavage - CORRECT ANSWER-a series of rapid mitotic cell
divisions following fertilization in many early embryos; cleavage
divides the embryo without increasing its mass.
Blastomere - CORRECT ANSWER-a cleavage-stage cell
resulting from mitosis.
Blastula - CORRECT ANSWER-early-stage embryo consisting
of a sphere of cells surrounding an inner fluid-filled cavity; the
blastocoel.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Development - CORRECT ANSWER-the process of
progressive and continuous change that generates a complex
multicellular organism from a single cell. Development occurs
throughout embryogenesis, maturation to the adult form, and
continues into senescence.
Zygote - CORRECT ANSWER-a fertilized egg with a diploid
chromosomal complement in its zygote nucleus generated by
fusion of the haploid male and female pronuclei.
Embryology - CORRECT ANSWER-the study of animal
development from fertilization to hatching or birth.
Developmental Biology - CORRECT ANSWER-the discipline
that studies embryonic and other developmental processes,
such as replacement of old cells by new, regeneration,
metamorphosis, aging, and development of disease states
such as cancer.
Differentiation - CORRECT ANSWER-the process by which an
unspecialized cell becomes specialized into one of the many
cell types that make up the body.
Morphogenesis - CORRECT ANSWER-the organization of the
cells of the body into functional structures via coordinated cell
growth, and cell death.
, Stem Cells - CORRECT ANSWER-a relatively undifferentiated
cell from the embryo, fetus, or adult that divides and when it
does so, produces 1) one cell that retains its undifferentiated
character and remains in the stem cell niche; and 2) a second
cell that leaves the niche and can undergo one or more paths
of differentiation.
Embryogenesis - CORRECT ANSWER-the stages of
development between fertilization and hatching (or birth).
Fertilization - CORRECT ANSWER-fusion of male and female
gametes followed by fusion of the haploid gamete nuclei to
restore the full complement of chromosomes characteristic of
the species and initiation in the egg cytoplasm of those
reactions that permit development to proceed.
Gamete - CORRECT ANSWER-a specialized reproductive cell
through which sexually reproducing parents pass
chromosomes to their offspring; an egg or a sperm.
Pronuclei - CORRECT ANSWER-the male and female haploid
nuclei within a fertilized egg that fuse to form the diploid
nucleus of the zygote.
Genome - CORRECT ANSWER-the complete DNA sequence
of an individual organism.
Cleavage - CORRECT ANSWER-a series of rapid mitotic cell
divisions following fertilization in many early embryos; cleavage
divides the embryo without increasing its mass.
Blastomere - CORRECT ANSWER-a cleavage-stage cell
resulting from mitosis.
Blastula - CORRECT ANSWER-early-stage embryo consisting
of a sphere of cells surrounding an inner fluid-filled cavity; the
blastocoel.
