Dynamic Development – Guide to classroom use
This resource contains movies of various organisms (fruit fly, fish and worm)
developing at the microscopic level. These organisms have been chosen
because they are the three most common 'model' organisms which scientists
use to investigate basic genetics, cell behaviour and development. The
advantage of using movies to demonstrate the process of development is that
they show how dynamic and active the process is. The movies also help
students explore the concepts of three dimensional organisation of cells into
tissues and organs. Some of the movies highlight specific cell activities such
as cell division (mitosis), cell death, cell differentiation and cell migration.
Others explore the effect of gene mutation on development. All of them reenforce the concept that genes switching on and off control cell
differentiation and the organisation of specialised cells into tissues and
organs.
Specific Curriculum Links:
Advanced Higher Biology – Unit 1 Cell and Molecular Biology
- Cell growth and the cell cycle
- Differentiation of cells into tissues and organs
Higher Biology – Unit 3 Control and Regulation
- Control of growth and development
Suggested Pupil Use:
 To demonstrate the processes of cell differentiation, genetic control of
development and the organisation of cells into tissues and organs. This
three dimensional process is a challenging concept to grasp, the
movies therefore allow students to visualise this process which is
normally invisible to the naked eye, thus aiding their understanding of
this topic. It is suggested that students watch the movies, print out
and read the commentary provided and then watch the movie again
this time trying to identify the structures and processes highlighted.
 As a resource for independent investigation by students on a specific
topic or project. Images from the movies can be cut and pasted into
projects or essays to exemplify points made (original copyright should
be cited).
 It can be used with the worksheet provided as a knowledge and
understanding activity. Students read the text, observe the movies
and answer specific questions.
Suggested Teacher Use:
 Whilst the resource has been written primarily for student use, it can
also provide background information for teachers on the topics of
genetic control of development, effect of mutations, cell behaviours
during development and the use of model organisms in research.
 The resource could also be of use in teacher presentations to
demonstrate or illustrate a point. This would be particularly effective
in the situation where a school has the facilities to use PowerPoint
presentations with a data projector.
WORKSHEET – Dynamic Development
Watch and read about the fruit fly movies then answer the following
questions:
1) Write the letters in the order which would put these phases in the
correct developmental order for the fruit fly:
(A) genes controlling segmentation are turned on (B) dorsal closure (C)
gastrulation (D) metamorphosis (E) adulthood (F) egg fertilisation (G)
pupation (H) pole cell migration (I) bicoid protein gradient sets up anterior
(head) and posterior (tail) polarity (J) hatching into a larva.
2) Name one gene that controls segmentation.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3) Give one example of the effect of mutations in genes on normal
development.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Watch and read about the nematode worm movies then answer the following
questions:
1) Name three cell behaviours which occur during nematode
development.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2) Below are pictures of a cell undergoing mitosis write an appropriate
label for each picture. Also name each subphase (e.g. prophase,
metaphase, anaphase and telophase,)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3) Define the meaning of the term ‘cell differentiation’
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Watch and read about the fish movies, then answer the following questions:
1) Name the first cellular process that the fish egg goes through following
fertilisation.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2) Fill in the missing word:
The vertebrate egg undergoes rapid cell division to produce a mass of cells
which is called the ………………… .
3) What process must the cells undergo (following epiboly) to start
forming tissues and organs? How is this process controlled?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
WORKSHEET – Dynamic Development
Watch and read about the fruit fly movies then answer the following
questions:
1) Write the letters in the order which would put these phases in the
correct developmental order for the fruit fly:
(A) genes controlling segmentation are turned on (B) dorsal closure (C)
gastrulation (D) metamorphosis (E) adulthood (F) egg fertilisation (G)
pupation (H) pole cell migration (I) bicoid gradient sets up anterior (head)
and posterior (tail) polarity (J) hatching into a larva.
F
I
A
H
C
B
J
G
D
E
2) Name one gene that controls segmentation.
Fushi Tarazu
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3) Give one example of the effect of gene mutation on normal
development of the fruit fly.
Fushi tarazu is involved in controlling the number of segments that form. If the fushi tarazu gene is mutated the
protein does not get made properly or does not get made at all. Therefore, the embryo forms an abnormal number of
segments.
The bicoid protein is involved in telling the fertilised egg which end will be the head. By default the other end
becomes the tail. If the bicoid gene is mutated the bicoid protein is not made properly or does not get made at all. As
neither end gets the signal to become the head, the default option comes into play at both ends of the embryo.
Therefore the embryo tries to make two tails.
Watch and read about the nematode worm movies then answer the following
questions:
1) Name three cell behaviours which occur during nematode
development.
Cell division, cell death and cell differentiation.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2) Below are pictures of a cell undergoing mitosis write an appropriate
label for each picture. Also name each subphase (e.g. prophase,
metaphase, anaphase and telophase,)
Prophase – Chromatin condenses into discrete chromosomes
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
(note DNA synthesis has already occurred and each
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
chromosome is made of two chromatids.).
Metaphase –Mitotic spindle is formed attaching the chromosomes
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
to the poles of the cells. Chromosomes are lined up along
………………………………………………………………………………………….
metaphase plate in middle of cell.
Anaphase – The chromatids are separated and pulled towards
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
the poles of the cell.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Telophase – The chromatids begin to decondense and a
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
nuclear envelope forms around each new daughter nucleus.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
3) Define the meaning of the term ‘cell differentiation’
Cell differentiation is the specialisation of a cell into a particular cell type. It is controlled
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
by the switching on and off of specific genes. Note that in development this occurs in a
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
certain place (spatial gene expression) at a certain time (temporal gene expression).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Watch and read about the fish movies, then answer the following questions:
1) Name the first cellular process that the fish egg goes through following
fertilisation.
Cell division.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2) Fill in the missing word:
The vertebrate egg undergoes rapid cell division to produce a mass of cells
Blastula. .
which is called the …………………
3) What process must the cells undergo (following epiboly) to start
forming tissues and organs? How is this process controlled?
Following
epiboly the cells must undergo cell differentiation into specialised
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
cell
types.
This process is controlled by the switching on and off genes in a
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
temporal
and spatial manner.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….