Course Title: Developmental Biology
Course Code: ZOL-506
Credit Hours: 04
Instructor: Dr. Khawaja Raees Ahmad

Introduction to course

This course of study will help the student to understand the mechanisms of morphogenesis (embryonic development) and postnatal developments of life of an individual starting from the fusion of gametes (fertilization) passing through various phases of life (neonatal, growing individual, adult, post adult and old/ aged) culminating at death. It covers all the underlying mechanisms and processes (molecular, cellular, anatomical and morphological) operating to bring about irreversible change throughout the lifespan of an individuals.

The details of this course of reading will comprise on the development of gametes (spermatozoa and ova) fertilization, cellular cleavage, rearmaments, organogenesis, morphogenesis, metamorphosis, and aging. Study of various factors responsible for differential gene regulations causing cellular differentiations and oncogenesis are also included.

Course pre requisites:

As this is a dynamic and broad based science the students should have a strong background of the other basic disciplines (Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Morphology, Gene regulations, evolutionand the basic and molecular genetics) 

Learning outcomes:

1. The course on developmental biology will help in understanding the mechanisms of embryonic and postnatal development with particular emphasis on various vertebrate classes.

2. The contents will help the students to understand the process and mechanisms involved in spermatogenesis and oogenesis, fertilization, early embryonic developments in various vertebrate classes and selected invertebrate groups.

3. It will further equip he student with the knowledge about the molecular, cellular and anatomical processes involved in organogenesis, metamorphosis, regeneration and ageing etc.

Textbooks to be used for the course:

1. Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA.
2. Balinsky, B. I., 1995. An Introduction to Embryology. Saunders

Description of system of Evaluation (Exam, assignments etc.):

Term Paper: 25 Marks

Finalterm Paper: 50 Marks

Practical Marks: 15 Marks

Sessional: 10 Marks

Time Table w.e.f. Jan13, 2020:

1. BS Zoology 6th Semester SS: Monday: 12-01PM; Tuesday: 2-3PM; Friday: 12-01PM 

2. MSc Zoology 2nd semester SS: Wednesday: 01-02PM; Friday: 10-11 and 11-12 AM

Detailed lesson plans for each lecture/week

Week 1: Introduction: Principal features of development, origin of sexual reproduction, developmental patterns; Spermatogenesis; Oogenesis.

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 5-30, 121-127  

Week 2: Fertilization: Recognition of sperm and egg, fusion of gametes

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. pp 128-154

Week 3:  Fertilization: activation of egg metabolism, rearrangement of egg cytoplasm.

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp155-  157

Week 4: Cleavage: Patterns of embryonic cleavage, mechanism of cleavage. Gastrulation: Fate maps, gastrulation in sea urchin,

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 162- 164; 165-178

Week 5: Gastrulation: amphibians,

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. pp 242- 252

Week 6: Gastrulation:  birds and mammals.

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 287-307

Week 7: Early Vertebrate Development: Neurulation, ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm.

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 332-345  

Week 8: Cellular Basis of Morphogenesis: Differential cell affinity, cell adhesion molecules.

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 69-105

Week 9: Mechanism of Cellular Differentiation: RNA processing, translational regulation of developmental process

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 35- 65

Week 10: Mechanism of Cellular Differentiation: cell-fate by progressive determinants, Autonomous cell specification by cytoplasmic determinants,

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 109-119

Week 11: Establishment of body axes and

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp242-262; 317-321

Week 12: Mechanism of teratogenesis

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 27-29; 631-634

Week 13: Secondary Induction.

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 79-88

Week 14: Organogenesis: A brief account; Origin and Migration of Germ Cells in Vertebrates.

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 512-521

Week 15:  Factors controlling Growth and Oncogenesis.

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 643-646

Week 16: Hormones as Mediators of Development, Regeneration in Vertebrates.

Book Reference: Gilbert, S, F., 2010. Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinaur Associates Inc.,Publisher, Sunderland, MA. Pp 634-642