Essential Developmental Biology, 2nd Edition

Essential Developmental Biology, 2nd Edition

 
Essential Developmental Biology, 2nd Edition, is a concise and well-illustrated treatment of this subject for undergraduates. With an emphasis throughout on the evidence underpinning the main conclusions, this book is suitable as the key text for both introductory and more advanced courses in developmental biology.

• Includes new chapters on Evolution & Development, Gut Development, & Growth and Aging.
• Contains expanded treatment of mammalian fertilization, the heart and stem cells.
• Now features a glossary, notated further reading, and key discovery boxes.
• Illustrated with over 250 detailed, full-color drawings.
• Accompanied by a dedicated website, featuring animated developmental processes, a photo gallery of selected model organisms, and all art in PowerPoint and jpeg formats.

Table of Contents
Preface.
Section 1: Groundwork.
1 The Excitement of Developmental Biology.
• Where the subject came from.
• Central position in biology.
• Impact on society.
• Future impact.
2 General Features of Development.
• Genomic equivalence, cloning of animals.
• Gametogenesis.
• Early development.
• Morphogenetic processes.
3 Developmental Genetics.
• Developmental mutants.
• Screening for mutants.
• Cloning of genes.
• Transgenesis.
• Limitations of developmental genetics.
4 Experimental Embryology.
• Normal development.
• Developmental commitment.
• Acquisition of commitment.
• Homeotic genes.
• Criteria for proof.
5 Techniques for the Study of Development.
• Microscopy.
• Study of gene expression by biochemical methods.
• Study of gene expression by in situ methods.
• Reporter genes.
• Microinjection.
• Cell-labelling methods.
• Cell sorting.
Section 2: Major model organisms.
6 Model Organisms.
• Availability and cost.
• Access and micromanipulation.
• Genetics and genome maps.
• Relevance.
7 Xenopus.
• Oogenesis, maturation, fertilization.
• Embryonic development.
• Experimental methods.
• Regional specification.
• Inductive interactions.
8 The Zebrafish.
• Normal development.
• Mutagenesis.
• Regional specification.
9 The Chick.
• Normal development.
• Regional specification of the early embryo.
• Description of organogenesis in the chick.
10 The Mouse.
• Mammalian fertilization.
• Normal development.
• Technology of mouse development.
• Regional specification in development.
• Other topics in mouse development.
11Drosophila.
• Insects.
• Normal development.
• Drosophila developmental genetics.
• Overview of the developmental program.
• The dorsoventral pattern.
• The anteroposterior system.
12 Caenorhabditis elegans.
• Normal development.
• Regional specification in the embryo.
• Analysis of postembryonic development.
• Programmed cell death.
Section 3: Organogenesis.
13 Tissues and stem cells.
• Types of tissue.
• Tissue renewal.
• Skin.
• Intestine.
• Haematopoietic system.
14 Development of the Nervous System.
• Overall structure and cell types.
• Anteroposterior patterning of the neural plate.
• Dorsoventral patterning of the neural tube.
• Neurogenesis and gliogenesis.
• The neural crest.
• Development of neuronal connectivity.
15 Development of Mesodermal Organs.
• Somitogenesis and myogenesis.
• The kidney.
• Germ cells and gonads.
• Limb development.
• Heart and blood vessels.
16 Development of Endodermal Organs.
• Normal development.
• Determination of the endoderm.
• The pancreas.
17 Drosophila Imaginal Discs.
• Metamorphosis.
• Genetic study of larval development.
• Mitotic recombination.
• Disc development.
• Regional patterning of the wing disc.
Section 4: Growth, regeneration and evolution.
18 Growth and ageing.
• Size and proportion.
• Growth in stature.
• Ageing.
• Postnatal disorders of growth and differentiation.
19 Regeneration of Missing Parts.
• Distribution of regenerative capacity.
• Planarian regeneration.
• Vertebrate limb regeneration.
20 Evolution and Development.
• Macroevolution.
• The primordial animal.
• What really happened in evolution?.
.
Appendix.
Key Molecular Components.
• Genes.
• Transcription factor families.
• Signalling systems.
• Cytoskeleton.
• Cell adhesion molecules.
• Extracellular matrix components.
.
Glossary.
Index