Developmental Biology Study Guide

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions in developmental biology, specifically related to oocyte development in Drosophila and related processes.

Oogonium

A diploid stem cell found in the ovaries that undergoes mitosis to produce more oogonia or differentiate into a primary oocyte.

16-Cell Cyst

A structure formed after an oogonium undergoes four incomplete mitotic divisions, resulting in 16 interconnected cells where 1 cell becomes the oocyte and 15 become nurse cells.

Nurse Cells

Supporting cells that synthesize and transfer RNAs, proteins, and organelles to the oocyte through ring canals.

Zygotic Expression

The point when the embryo begins to use its own genome to make RNAs and proteins instead of relying on maternal mRNAs and proteins.

Zygotic Genome Activation (ZGA)

The transition marking when the embryo’s own DNA starts being transcribed, occurring at different stages in various species.

Gurken mRNA

A gene that encodes a TGF-alpha-like signaling protein important for dorsal-ventral patterning in the Drosophila embryo.

MTOC (Microtubule-Organizing Center)

A structure where microtubules are nucleated and organized; in Drosophila oocytes, MTOC organization becomes non-centrosomal at later stages.

Caudal (cad)

A transcription factor with mRNA uniformly distributed throughout the oocyte but translated only in the posterior half, playing a key role in posterior development.

Bicoid

An anterior fate determinant in Drosophila; a protein gradient establishes anterior cell fates.

Oskar

A protein involved in posterior fate specification and germ cell formation in Drosophila embryos.