Reproductive Systems, Fertilisation and Pre-Implantation Embryonic Development

Flashcards covering the key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on reproductive systems, fertilization, and embryonic development.

Spermatozoon

Male gamete

Oocyte

Female gamete

Fertilization

Occurs about 12-24 hours after ovulation

Cleavages

First cleavage completed about 30 hours after fertilization

Morula

3-4 days after fertilization

Blastocyst

4-5 days after fertilization

Implantation

Occurs about 6 days after fertilization

Fertilization competence

Acquisition of the ability to fertilize an oocyte

Activation competence

Ability to undergo cortical granule exocytosis, completion of meiosis, and pronuclear formation.

Zona Pellucida

Extracellular glycoprotein coat surrounding the oocyte

Corona Radiata

Cells surrounding the zona pellucida

Capacitation

Acquisition of the ability to undergo the acrosome reaction in response to the zona pellucida

Hyperactivation

Increased flagellar bending patterns of sperm

Acrosome Reaction

Release of hydrolytic enzymes from sperm to facilitate entry into ZP

Oolemma

Membrane of the oocyte

Zygote

Fertilized ovum (2n)

Cleavage

Rapid mitotic cell division of embryo

Trophoblast

Outer covering of cells in blastocyst

ICM

Inner cell mass

Blastocele

Fluid-filled cavity in blastocyst

Implantation

Attachment of blastocyst to endometrium

Hypoblast layer

Closest to blastocele

Epiblast layer

Closest to amniotic cavity

Amniotic cavity

Cavity develops in the epiblast layer.

Exocoelomic membrane

Thin membrane from hypoblast forming primitive yolk sac

Yolk sac

Hypoblast and exocoelomic membrane

Chorion

Extraembryonic mesoderm and trophoblast. Principal embyronic part of the placenta

Primitive streak

Develops on the epiblast. Establishes body axes and is the site of germ layer formation.

Gastrulation

Process of forming the three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm)