Very Nice Alligator Embryo Picture

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around a detailed analysis of a fluorescently labeled alligator embryo image, highlighting the development of muscle cells, neural cells, and skin. The embryo's parts, including neural crest cells, are conserved across all vertebrates, demonstrating a shared embryological layout that results in diverse adult forms. The conversation also references key resources, including Wikipedia articles on cranial nerves and pharyngeal arches, emphasizing the significance of vertebrate embryos in medical research compared to invertebrates.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vertebrate embryology
  • Familiarity with fluorescent labeling techniques
  • Knowledge of cranial nerves and their functions
  • Basic concepts of pharyngeal arches and their derivatives
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore vertebrate embryology through advanced textbooks
  • Research fluorescent labeling techniques in biological imaging
  • Study the development and function of cranial nerves in vertebrates
  • Investigate the evolutionary significance of pharyngeal arches across species
USEFUL FOR

Biologists, embryologists, medical researchers, and students interested in vertebrate development and comparative anatomy will benefit from this discussion.

BillTre
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Recently I ran across this very nice picture of a developing alligator embryo (lower jaw yet to grow out).
http://www.faseb.org/Resources-for-the-Public/Scientific-Contests/BioArt/Past-Winners/2017-BioArt-Winners.aspx to the original picture.
Screen Shot 2018-01-15 at 10.34.14 AM.png

It is fluorescently labeled: orange muscle cells, green neural cells and some skin, and bluish on other tissues, and shows a lot of interesting development going on. There are also some green cells that could be neural crest cells.

For the developmentally unaware, I have made a key to this figure:
embryo key.png


All of these embryo parts are conserved among and found in all vertebrates. They all share the same embryological layout, which generates similar but different adult forms. You can see all these parts (in distorted form) in fish, frog, bird, whale, and human embryos.
Here is a wikipedia article on the cranial nerves, some of which I have labeled.
Here is one on the pharyngeal arches (same as branchial arches) and their derivatives.

Invertebrate embryos are vastly different and generate body plans that are vastly different, which is why so much medical research (focused on particular body parts) is done on vertebrates.
 

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Wow, that is neat! Thanks for sharing.
 

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