H&E; stain of biopsy of normal esophagus showing the stratified squamous cell epithelium.
The single unifying principle for the science sections of the new MCAT is a levels of organization approach to living systems that begins with the chemistry underlying the behavior of macromolecules and extends through the cell all the way to organ systems and physiological homeostasis. Biological tissues represent a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and the organ systems of physiology. As a subject matter for MCAT review the tissue level doesn't have as large a conceptual vocabulary as cell biology or physiology, but it is very important. At least a basic understanding of the structure of tissues lends a unifying coherence to both cell biology and physiology.
Additionally, there is an important body of lab techniques associated with the study of tissues, namely, the techniques of histology. Histology is the art of preparing and visualizing tissue samples for microscopy, ie. the techniques of fixation, embedding, sectioning, clearing, staining and mounting. Histology represents a core laboratory practice, and you need the basics for the exam.
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Animal Development and Embryology Images
Conceptual Vocabulary Self-Test
Basic Terms Crossword Puzzle
Basic Puzzle Solution
Conceptual Vocabulary for Tissues and Histology
Fertilization
Fertilization is fusion of gametes to form a new organism of the same species.
Fertilization is fusion of gametes to form a new organism of the same species.
Mesoderm
Mesoderm is a primary germ layer which forms during gastrulation when some of the cells migrating inward to form the endoderm form an additional layer between the endoderm and the ectoderm.
Mesoderm is a primary germ layer which forms during gastrulation when some of the cells migrating inward to form the endoderm form an additional layer between the endoderm and the ectoderm.
Endoderm
Endoderm is one of the primary germ layers formed during animal embryogenesis when cells migrating inward along the archenteron form the inner layer of the gastrula.
Endoderm is one of the primary germ layers formed during animal embryogenesis when cells migrating inward along the archenteron form the inner layer of the gastrula.
Ectoderm
The ectoderm is the primary germ layer which emerges first during embryogenesis and forms from the outermost of the germ layers.
The ectoderm is the primary germ layer which emerges first during embryogenesis and forms from the outermost of the germ layers.
Germ layer
A germ layer is a collection of cells, a primary tissue layer, formed during animal embryogenesis.
A germ layer is a collection of cells, a primary tissue layer, formed during animal embryogenesis.
Blastula
The blastula stage of embryonic development in animals follows the morula and precedes the gastrula stage in the developmental sequence.
The blastula stage of embryonic development in animals follows the morula and precedes the gastrula stage in the developmental sequence.
Zygote
A zygote is the cell that results from fertilization.
A zygote is the cell that results from fertilization.
Blastopore
A blastopore is an opening into the archenteron during the embryonic stages of an organism.
A blastopore is an opening into the archenteron during the embryonic stages of an organism.
Notochord
The notochord is a flexible, rod-shaped body found in embryos of all chordates which is composed of cells derived from the mesoderm and defines the primitive axis of the embryo.
The notochord is a flexible, rod-shaped body found in embryos of all chordates which is composed of cells derived from the mesoderm and defines the primitive axis of the embryo.
Morula
A morula is an embryo at an early stage of embryonic development, consisting of approximately 12-32 cells in a solid ball contained within the zona pellucida.
A morula is an embryo at an early stage of embryonic development, consisting of approximately 12-32 cells in a solid ball contained within the zona pellucida.
Organogenesis
Organogenesis is the process in animal development by which the ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm develop into the internal organs of the organism.
Organogenesis is the process in animal development by which the ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm develop into the internal organs of the organism.
Cleavage
Cleavage is the division of cells in the early embryo.
Cleavage is the division of cells in the early embryo.
Blastocyst
The blastocyst is the structure formed in early human embryogenesis, after the formation of the blastocele, but before implantation, possessing an inner cell mass, or embryoblast, and an outer cell mass, or trophoblast.
The blastocyst is the structure formed in early human embryogenesis, after the formation of the blastocele, but before implantation, possessing an inner cell mass, or embryoblast, and an outer cell mass, or trophoblast.
Gastrulation
Gastrulation is a phase early in the development of animal embryos, during which the morphology of the embryo is dramatically restructured by cell migration.
Gastrulation is a phase early in the development of animal embryos, during which the morphology of the embryo is dramatically restructured by cell migration.
Gastrula
The gastrula phase of embryonic development, which follows after the blastula stage, is seen in all animals except the sponges.
The gastrula phase of embryonic development, which follows after the blastula stage, is seen in all animals except the sponges.
Archenteron
The archenteron is known as the primitive gut that forms during gastrulation in the developing blastula.
The archenteron is known as the primitive gut that forms during gastrulation in the developing blastula.
Blastomere
Blastomere is the term for the cells formed by cleavage of the ovum in very early embryonic development.
Blastomere is the term for the cells formed by cleavage of the ovum in very early embryonic development.
Neural tube
Following primary and secondary neurulation, the neural tube is the developing vertebrate embryo's precursor to the central nervous system.
Following primary and secondary neurulation, the neural tube is the developing vertebrate embryo's precursor to the central nervous system.
Neural plate
Formation of neural plate is the first step of neurulation in human embryology. It is created by a flat thickening opposite to the primitive streak.
Formation of neural plate is the first step of neurulation in human embryology. It is created by a flat thickening opposite to the primitive streak.
Blastocoele
A blastocoele is the fluid-filled central region of a blastocyst.
A blastocoele is the fluid-filled central region of a blastocyst.
Embryogenesis
Embryogenesis is the process by which the embryo is formed and develops.
Embryogenesis is the process by which the embryo is formed and develops.
Inner cell mass
In early embryogenesis, the inner cell mass is the mass of cells inside the primordial embryo that will eventually give rise to the definitive structures of the fetus.
In early embryogenesis, the inner cell mass is the mass of cells inside the primordial embryo that will eventually give rise to the definitive structures of the fetus.
Trophoblast
Trophoblasts are cells forming the outer layer of a blastocyst, which provide nutrients to the embryo and develop into a large part of the placenta.
Trophoblasts are cells forming the outer layer of a blastocyst, which provide nutrients to the embryo and develop into a large part of the placenta.
Dorsal nerve cord
The dorsal nerve cord is one of the embryonic features unique to chordates, along with a notochord, a post-anal tail and pharyngeal slits.
The dorsal nerve cord is one of the embryonic features unique to chordates, along with a notochord, a post-anal tail and pharyngeal slits.
Primitive streak
The primitive streak is a structure that forms during the early stages of embryonic development, characterized as a furrow in the midline of the embryonic disk at the future caudal end of the embryo.
The primitive streak is a structure that forms during the early stages of embryonic development, characterized as a furrow in the midline of the embryonic disk at the future caudal end of the embryo.
Primitive groove
During the early stages of embryonic development, a shallow groove, the primitive groove, appears on the surface of the primitive streak
During the early stages of embryonic development, a shallow groove, the primitive groove, appears on the surface of the primitive streak
Primitive knot
The primitive knot is the organizer for gastrulation in vertebrates, starting as a regional knot of cells that forms on the blastodisc immediately anterior to where the outer layer of cells will begin to migrate inwards.
The primitive knot is the organizer for gastrulation in vertebrates, starting as a regional knot of cells that forms on the blastodisc immediately anterior to where the outer layer of cells will begin to migrate inwards.
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is a physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels.
Angiogenesis is a physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels.
Vegetal pole
The term vegetal pole refers to the hemisphere of a blastula embryo which contains large yolky cells that divide very slowly.
The term vegetal pole refers to the hemisphere of a blastula embryo which contains large yolky cells that divide very slowly.
Animal pole
The term animal pole refers to the hemisphere of a blastula embryo which consists of small cells that divide rapidly, in contrast with the vegetal pole.
The term animal pole refers to the hemisphere of a blastula embryo which consists of small cells that divide rapidly, in contrast with the vegetal pole.
Epiboly
Epiboly is the expansion of one cell sheet over other cells. Takes place during gastrulation.
Epiboly is the expansion of one cell sheet over other cells. Takes place during gastrulation.
Mesenchyme
Mesenchyme is the mass of tissue that develops mainly from the mesoderm of an embryo which contains collagen bundles and fibroblasts and later differentiates into blood vessels, blood-related organs, and connective tissues.
Mesenchyme is the mass of tissue that develops mainly from the mesoderm of an embryo which contains collagen bundles and fibroblasts and later differentiates into blood vessels, blood-related organs, and connective tissues.
Neurulation
Neurulation is the part of organogenesis in vertebrate embryos that includes the events from the formation of the dorsal nerve cord to the eventual formation of the central nervous system.
Neurulation is the part of organogenesis in vertebrate embryos that includes the events from the formation of the dorsal nerve cord to the eventual formation of the central nervous system.
Neural folds
During primary neurolation, the neural folds make their appearance in front of the primitive streak as two longitudinal ridges, caused by a folding up of the ectoderm.
During primary neurolation, the neural folds make their appearance in front of the primitive streak as two longitudinal ridges, caused by a folding up of the ectoderm.
Morphogen
A morphogen is a substance governing the pattern of tissue development and, in particular, the positions of the various specialized cell types within a tissue.
A morphogen is a substance governing the pattern of tissue development and, in particular, the positions of the various specialized cell types within a tissue.
Somite
Somites are masses of mesoderm in the developing vertebrate embryo distributed along the two sides of the neural tube and that will eventually become dermis, skeletal muscle, and vertebrae.
Somites are masses of mesoderm in the developing vertebrate embryo distributed along the two sides of the neural tube and that will eventually become dermis, skeletal muscle, and vertebrae.
Carnegie stages
Carnegie stages are a standardized system of 23 stages used in embryology to provide a unified developmental chronology of the vertebrate embryo.
Carnegie stages are a standardized system of 23 stages used in embryology to provide a unified developmental chronology of the vertebrate embryo.
Diploblasty
Diploblasty is a condition of the ovum in which there are two primary germ layers: the ectoderm and endoderm, such as with cnidaria and ctenophores.
Diploblasty is a condition of the ovum in which there are two primary germ layers: the ectoderm and endoderm, such as with cnidaria and ctenophores.
Triploblasty
Triploblasty is a condition of the blastula in which there are three primary germ layers: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, such as in higher and intermediate animals from flat worms to humans.
Triploblasty is a condition of the blastula in which there are three primary germ layers: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, such as in higher and intermediate animals from flat worms to humans.
Convergent extension
Convergent extension is the process during organogenesis in which layers of cells intercalate and become longer.
Convergent extension is the process during organogenesis in which layers of cells intercalate and become longer.
Spiral and radial cleavage
Spiral cleavage is the type type of holoblastic cleavage in embryonic development in which at the third cleavage the halves are oblique to the polar axis and typically produce an upper quartet of smaller cells that come to be set between the furrows of the lower quartet.
Spiral cleavage is the type type of holoblastic cleavage in embryonic development in which at the third cleavage the halves are oblique to the polar axis and typically produce an upper quartet of smaller cells that come to be set between the furrows of the lower quartet.
Nucleus pulposus
Nucleus pulposus is the jelly-like substance in the middle of the spinal disc which is the remnant of the notochord.
Nucleus pulposus is the jelly-like substance in the middle of the spinal disc which is the remnant of the notochord.
Paraxial mesoderm
Paraxial mesoderm is the area of mesoderm that forms just lateral to the neural tube on both sides.
Paraxial mesoderm is the area of mesoderm that forms just lateral to the neural tube on both sides.
Floor plate
In the developing nervous system, the floor plate is a neural tube structure that separates the left and right components of the basal plate.
In the developing nervous system, the floor plate is a neural tube structure that separates the left and right components of the basal plate.
Alar plate
The alar plate is a neural structure in the embryonic nervous system, part of the dorsal side of neural tube, that involves the communication of general somatic and general visceral sensory impulses.
The alar plate is a neural structure in the embryonic nervous system, part of the dorsal side of neural tube, that involves the communication of general somatic and general visceral sensory impulses.
Rhombomere
A rhombomere is a transiently divided segment in the vertebrate embryo of the developing neural tube in the area that will eventually become the rhombencephalon.
A rhombomere is a transiently divided segment in the vertebrate embryo of the developing neural tube in the area that will eventually become the rhombencephalon.
Cephalic flexure
The cephalic flexure is the first flexure, or bend, of the embryonic brain; it appears in the region of the mid-brain.
The cephalic flexure is the first flexure, or bend, of the embryonic brain; it appears in the region of the mid-brain.
Myelencephalon
The myelencephalon is a developmental categorization of a portion of the central nervous system composed of the medulla oblongata and containing a portion of the fourth ventricle and various cranial nerves.
The myelencephalon is a developmental categorization of a portion of the central nervous system composed of the medulla oblongata and containing a portion of the fourth ventricle and various cranial nerves.
Metencephalon
The metencephalon is a developmental categorization of portions of the central nervous system composed of the pons, the cerebellum, a portion of the fourth ventricle, and various cranial nerves.
The metencephalon is a developmental categorization of portions of the central nervous system composed of the pons, the cerebellum, a portion of the fourth ventricle, and various cranial nerves.
Isolecithal
Isolecithal refers to the even distribution of yolk in the cytoplasm of ovums of mammals and other invertebrates.
Isolecithal refers to the even distribution of yolk in the cytoplasm of ovums of mammals and other invertebrates.
Centrolecithal
Centrolecithal is the placement of the yolk in the centre of the cytoplasm of ovums such as within many arthropod eggs.
Centrolecithal is the placement of the yolk in the centre of the cytoplasm of ovums such as within many arthropod eggs.
Chordin
Chordin is a polypeptide that dorsalizes the developing embryo by binding ventralizing proteins such as bone morphogenetic proteins.
Chordin is a polypeptide that dorsalizes the developing embryo by binding ventralizing proteins such as bone morphogenetic proteins.
Bone morphogenetic protein
Bone morphogenetic proteins are a group of growth factors and cytokines known for their ability to induce the formation of bone and cartilage.
Bone morphogenetic proteins are a group of growth factors and cytokines known for their ability to induce the formation of bone and cartilage.
Noggin
Noggin is a polypeptide that binds to members of the TGF-beta superfamily of proteins. It is a Bone morphogenetic protein inhibitor.
Noggin is a polypeptide that binds to members of the TGF-beta superfamily of proteins. It is a Bone morphogenetic protein inhibitor.
Transforming growth factor beta
The transforming growth factor beta superfamily includes inhibins, activin, anti-m羹llerian hormone, bone morphogenetic protein, decapentaplegic and Vg-1.
The transforming growth factor beta superfamily includes inhibins, activin, anti-m羹llerian hormone, bone morphogenetic protein, decapentaplegic and Vg-1.
Hedgehog signaling pathway
The hedgehog signaling pathway is one of the key regulators of animal development conserved from flies to humans. It is involved in establishing the basis of the body plan.
The hedgehog signaling pathway is one of the key regulators of animal development conserved from flies to humans. It is involved in establishing the basis of the body plan.
Sonic hedgehog
Sonic hedgehog homolog is one of three proteins in the mammalian hedgehog family which play a key role in regulating vertebrate organogenesis, the others being desert hedgehog and Indian hedgehog.
Sonic hedgehog homolog is one of three proteins in the mammalian hedgehog family which play a key role in regulating vertebrate organogenesis, the others being desert hedgehog and Indian hedgehog.
Wnt signaling pathway
The Wnt signaling pathway describes a complex network of proteins most well known for their roles in embryogenesis and cancer, but also involved in normal physiological processes in adult animals.
The Wnt signaling pathway describes a complex network of proteins most well known for their roles in embryogenesis and cancer, but also involved in normal physiological processes in adult animals.
Epidermal growth factor
Epidermal growth factor or EGF is a growth factor that plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation and differentiation.
Epidermal growth factor or EGF is a growth factor that plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation and differentiation.
Fibroblast growth factor
Fibroblast growth factors, or FGFs, are a family of growth factors involved in wound healing and embryonic development.
Fibroblast growth factors, or FGFs, are a family of growth factors involved in wound healing and embryonic development.
Myotome
In vertebrate embryonic development, a myotome is a group of tissues formed from somites that develop into the body wall muscle.
In vertebrate embryonic development, a myotome is a group of tissues formed from somites that develop into the body wall muscle.
Myoblast
A myoblast is a type of stem cell that exists in muscles.
A myoblast is a type of stem cell that exists in muscles.
Sclerotome
A sclerotome is part of a somite, a structure in vertebrate embryonic development, which eventually differentiate into the vertebrae and most of the skull.
A sclerotome is part of a somite, a structure in vertebrate embryonic development, which eventually differentiate into the vertebrae and most of the skull.
Somitomere
The somitomeres are loose masses of paraxial mesoderm derived cells in the developing vertebrate embryo that form along each side of the neural tube towards the end of the third gestational week.
The somitomeres are loose masses of paraxial mesoderm derived cells in the developing vertebrate embryo that form along each side of the neural tube towards the end of the third gestational week.
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Essential for mesoderm formation and neural tube formation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a program of development characterized by loss of cell adhesion, repression of E-cadherin expression, and increased cell mobility.
Essential for mesoderm formation and neural tube formation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a program of development characterized by loss of cell adhesion, repression of E-cadherin expression, and increased cell mobility.
Agrin
Agrin is a large proteoglycan with a role in the development of neuromuscular junctions during embryogenesis.
Agrin is a large proteoglycan with a role in the development of neuromuscular junctions during embryogenesis.
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