GENE DIFFERENTIATION AND GAMETE BIOLOGY

Paper Code: 
25ZOL421
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
This course will enable the students to –
1. Develop an understanding of scope and historical background of developmental biology to the students, impart knowledge regarding basic concepts of differentiation, morphogenesis and pattern formation and stem cells.
2. Analyze and demonstrate essential events of developmental biology through proper explanation of gametogenesis, and stages of embryonic development and fetal formation and anomalies associated with the development.
Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching Strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25ZOL421

Gene Differen tiation & Gamete Biology

(Theory)

CO145.  Examine  developmental

patterns in unicellular eukaryotes

and    metazoans and develop an

understanding about the process of

gamete formation from stem cell

population to

mature ova and sperm.

CO146.    Appraise    the                detailed

knowledge of steps leading to the

formation of gametes and development of embryos.

CO147. Describe the mechanisms underpinning cell specification in animals and germ cell determination and migration.

CO148. Discuss axis specification

      in  drosophila,     tetrapod           limb

development and metamorphosis in

amphibian and insects

CO149.      Analyze                  the                  sex

determination  in  mammals  and

process of teratogenesis.

CO150. Contribute effectively in

course-specific interaction

Approach in

teaching:

Interactive

Lectures,

Discussion,

Tutorials,

Reading

assignments,

Learning

activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective

questions, Seminar

presentation,

Charts    or    model

preparation

Class test

Semester                   end

examinations,

Quiz

Assignments,

Surprise test

 

16.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to animal development
● Problems and scope of developmental biology
● Development in unicellular eukaryotes Developmental patterns in Metazoans Spermatogenesis
Oogenesis & vitellogenesis
● Morphology
● Endocrinology
● Ovarian follicular growth and differentiation
● Ovulation and ovum transport in mammals
 
12.00
Unit II: 
Fertilization Creating multicellularity
● Cleavage types, planes and pattern
● Blastulation
● Gastrulation in tetrapods: Morphogenetic movements Early Vertebrate development (till differentiation)
● Neurulation: Formation and Differentiation of neural tube
● Derivatives of Ectoderm, Mesoderm and endoderm
12.00
Unit III: 
UNIT III
● Cell commitment, specification and differentiation
● Cell specification in nematodes
● Germ cell determinants
● Germ cell migration
● Progressive cell -cell interaction Early development in Birds andMammals
● Cleavage and Gastrulation
● Establishment of body axis
 
12.00
Unit IV: 
UNIT IV
● Genetics of axis specifications in Drosophila Homeo box concept Tetrapod limb development
● Specification of the Limb fields:Hox genes and Retinoic acid
● Induction of the early Limb bud : Fibroblast Growth factors
● Specification of Forelimb or Hind limb:Tbx4 andTbx5
● Induction of the apical Ectodermal ridge
● Generating the Proximal –Distal axis of the limb
● Specification of the Anterior –Posterior limb
● Generation of the Dorsal –Ventral axis of the limb
● Coordination of the three axis
● Cell Death and the formation of the digits andJoints Hormones as mediators of development
● Amphibians Metamorphosis: Morphological Changes, Biochemical Changes associated with metamorphosis and HormonalControl
● Insect Metamorphosis: Types of insect metamorphosis, Hormonal control
 
10.00
Unit V: 
UNIT V
● Chromosomal sex determination in mammals: Testis determining genes, Ovarian genes
● Secondary sex determination in mammals Environmental sex determination Significance of Stem Cells
● Teratology
 
 
 
Essential Readings: 
● Gilbert, S. F. (2010). Developmental Biology, IX Edition, 
● SinauerAssociates,Inc., Publishers, Sunderland, Massachusetts, USA. An Introduction to Embryology :Balinsky, B.I. : W.B. Saudersm,Delhi.
● Development Biology. Berrill, N.J. McGraw Hill book Com. NewYork.
 
SUGGESTED READINGS:
● Modern Embryology : Bodemer, C.W. : Holt Rein chart and Winstom, Inc. New York, Chicago.
● Carlson, R. F. Patten's Foundations of Embryology
● Kalthoff (2008). Analysis of Biological Development, II Edition, McGraw- HillPublishers.
● Lewis Wolpert (2002). Principles of Development. II Edition, Oxford UniversityPress.
● Gene activity during early development, Davidson, E. H. Academic Press, New York.
 
 
 
References: 
e RESOURCES:
==
 
JOURNAL:
● Journal of Developmental Biology
● International Journal of Developmental Biology
Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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