BS Zoology 5th

ZOO-504 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY Cr. Hours: 4(3+1)

Unit 08: Organogenesis

Organogenesis: A brief account

Hafiz Mehmood Ul Hassan

Lecturer in Zoology, GPGC Nowshera
M.Phil Zoology/ Fisheries & Aquaculture (UoP)
M.Sc Zoology/Fisheries / Genotoxicology(UoP)
M.Ed Science Education (AIOU)
mmzoologist@gmail.com
0302-5772747
Organogenesis

Differentiation of primary
germ layers into tissues
and organs.
 Organogenesis
• Organogenesis is the process by which the ectoderm, endoderm, and
mesoderm develop into the internal organs of the organism. OR
Organogenesis is the process of formation of organs from three germ
layers
• Cells of each germ layer proliferate, migrate, reaggregate and
differentiate into various tissues that form the organs (organogenesis).
• It concerns cell-cell interaction, cell fate determination, cell proliferation
and survival, cell and tissue shape and size, and arrangement of cells
into tissues and ultimately functional organs.
• The germ layers in organogenesis differ by three processes:
– folds,
– splits, and
– Condensation
 Organogenesis
• After the completion of gastrulation the embryo enters into
organogenesis – this is the process by which the ectoderm,
mesoderm and endoderm are converted into the internal organs
of the body.
• The development of the limbs is a good example of the types
of processes that are involved in organogenesis.
• The germ layers form organs by three processes: folds, splits, and
condensation.[6] Folds form in the germinal sheet of cells and usually
form an enclosed tube which you can see in the development of
vertebrates neural tube. Splits or pockets may form in the germinal
sheet of cells forming vesicles or elongations. The lungs and glands of the
organism may develop this way.[6]
• A primary step in organogenesis for chordates is the development of
the notochord, which induces the formation of the neural plate, and
ultimately the neural tube in vertebrate development. The development
of the neural tube will give rise to the brain and spinal
cord.[1] Vertebrates develop a neural crest that differentiates into many
structures, including bones, muscles, and components of the central
nervous system. Differentiation of the ectoderm into the neural crest,
neural tube, and surface ectoderm is sometimes referred to as
neurulation and the embryo in this phase is the neurula. The coelom of
the body forms from a split of the mesoderm along the somite axis.
 When does it occur?
• Internal organs initiate development in humans within the 3rd to
8th weeks in utero.
• This process takes place between about week 3 to the end of week
8. At the end of this period the embryo is referred to as a fetus.

• After an egg has been fertilized, and has been implanted in the
uterus, the developing form is known as the embryo.
• Organogenesis takes place during this embryonic phase. In fact,
most organogenesis has begun as early as week three or five in
humans (remember that a normal human pregnancy lasts an
average of 40 weeks).
• starts at the end of gastrulation and continues until birth
 Embryonic stage
Week 3: Beginning development of the brain, heart, blood cells, circulatory
system, spinal cord, and digestive system.
Week 4: Beginning development of bones, facial structures, and limbs
(presence of arm and leg buds); continuing development of the heart (which
begins to beat), brain, and nervous tissue.
Week 5: Beginning development of eyes, nose, kidneys, lungs; continuing
development of the heart (formation of valves), brain, nervous tissue, and
digestive tract.
Week 6: Beginning development of hands, feet, and digits; continuing
development of brain, heart, and circulation system.
Week 7: Beginning development of hair follicles, nipples, eyelids, and sex
organs (testes or ovaries); first formation of urine in the kidneys and first
evidence of brain waves.
Week 8: Facial features more distinct, internal organs well developed, the brain can
signal for muscles to move, heart development ends, external sex organs begin to
form. By the end of the embryonic stage, all essential external and internal
structures have been formed. The embryo is now referred to as a fetus.
CRITICAL PERIODS OF DEVELOPMENT
It is a specific time during which
the environment has its greatest
impact on an individual's
development.

if you drink, I will also drink

 Why it is critical period?
• Because it will disturb the processes of
developments:
– Control of cell division,
– Apoptosis,
– Gene expression, and
– Cellular metabolism
 During pre-embryonic stage
The effects of maternal drug use on the development of the
fetus are dependent upon the stage of embryonic and fetal
development, as well as the dosage of the substance.
After fertilization occurs, the embryo is highly resistant to birth
defects, but the results of a high dose teratogen could result in
death.
Intake of teratogens during this pre-embryonic stage could also
result in normal development, if the teratogenic substance is
stopped before the embryonic stage of development.
 During embryonic stage
During the embryonic stage of development (weeks 3-8), the effects
of teratogens are increasingly detrimental. Organs begin forming
during the embryonic stage, and harmful teratogens can result in
miscarriage, and structural abnormalities.
Once the embryonic stage is complete, the fetal period begins at
week 9 and continues until full term at week 38. Teratogens taken
during this period can result in improper organ functioning, delayed
growth, but seldom result in birth defects .
Guess whom the following grew up to be:

A. B. C. D.

F. G.
H.
E.
 Phylum Chordata

A. dolphin B. fish C. cat D. human

F. Elephant G. Snake
H. bat
E. Mouse