EMBRYOLOGY
Zool 4100 - Spring 2010
Instructor: Dr. Ron Meyers
430
rmeyers@weber.edu
430
409 Science Lab
Class Time: TR@ 10:30-11:45 am, SL
Lab: W @ 1:30-4:20pm, SL
Office Hours: TW @ 11:45-12:30; also by
appointment
Phone: 626-6170
Texts
&
Materials:
Human Embryology and Developmental Biology, 4th Ed., Carlson
Photographic Atlas of Developmental Biology, by Wright
Additional readings online: http://faculty.weber.edu/rmeyers/embryology.h
Colored pencils are required
Colored clay is recommended
Objectives: •To familiarize you with the anatomy of embryos and the mechanisms
of development and evolution in vertebrates.
•To analyze and critique research articles, and to think critically.
Tentative Lecture Schedule
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Final Exam
Topics
Introduction; Gametogenesis; Fertilization
Cleavage and Implantation
Formation of germ layers; Formation of the Body Plan
Extraembryonic membranes (Exam 1, 28 Jan)
Skin; Skeleton
Muscle
Limbs
Nervous System (Exam 2 , 25 Feb)
Neural Crest
Sense Organs
SPRING BREAK
Pharynx and Head
Digestive; Respiratory (Exam 3, 1 April)
Body Cavities; Urogenital System
Cardiovascular system
Fetal Period and Birth
22 April 11-1
Please note that I reserve the right to add, delete or change assignments as tentatively listed on the
syllabus. Additional assignments may or may not be for credit.
Grading:
Course grades will be based on three 100 point lecture exams, a 150
point cumulative final exam, a 30-point article summary, and two 50-point
laboratory practical exams (= 580 possible points total). Lecture make-ups exams
will only be given if the student provides a valid medical excuse before the exam.
No cheating of any kind will be tolerated. If caught cheating you will receive a
failing grade for the course and be subject to disciplinary actions.
92+ =A
90-91 =A88-89 =B+
82-87 =B
80-81 =B78-79 =C+
72-77 =C
62-67 =D
70-71 =C- 60-61 =D68-69 =D+ <60 =E
Please show respect your fellow students and me; do not speak during class
(unless asking or answering questions) or otherwise disturb the class with cellphones, iPods, etc. Please refrain from using computers for note-taking, etc. They
are a distraction to neighboring students. I reserve the right to ask you to leave
the room if these requests are not followed.
EMBRYOLOGY LAB
We we will using our laboratory time to examine the structure of various embryos,
and we will have 2 practical exams. You may need to come in to lab outside of
class time to catch up/review. Arrangements will be made for after
hours/weekends. There will be 2 experimental labs that are scheduled below but
may be moved depending on specimen availability. We will also be discussing
scientific articles during lab time as well. These will be made available on the
course website:
http://faculty.weber.edu/rmeyers/embryology.html
Tentative Laboratory Schedule
Date
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Topic
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Intro to the Lab / Planes of section
Gonad histology; Egg morphology
Sea Urchin Fertilization
Frog cleavage and blastula
The “gray crescent”; Frog gastrulation and neurulation
4 mm Frog; Quiz review
Lab Quiz 1; EXPERIMENT: Drosophila Imaginal discs
Chick 33 hr. whole mount; Chick 18 hr
Chick 18 and 24 hr
Chick 33 and 48 hr
SPRING BREAK
Chick 72 hr
Chick review
Lab Quiz 2
Week 15
Due
EXPERIMENT: Developmental Gene Expression I; Article Summary