The Notochord

The Notochord PDF Author: P. Eckhard Witten
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351652036
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 301

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Book Description
Although it is the defining organ of the Chordata, the notochord and its cells are one of the least understood vertebrate organs. This may be because large parts of the notochord are often replaced with cartilaginous or bony vertebral bodies. The presence of cartilage in the notochord raises questions about the evolutionary relationships between notochord cells and cartilage cells. This book integrates classical analytical studies with recent palaeontological, experimental, and molecular studies in both developmental and evolutionary contexts. For example, although the early signaling function of the notochord is conserved across the vertebrates, many will be surprised to find that the role of the notochord in vertebral body development in tetrapods is not the blueprint for all vertebrates. Recent studies on zebrafish and medaka embryos have uncovered the molecular mechanisms of a somite-independent notochord-driven segmentation process that establishes vertebral centra and intervertebral spaces. As this process is not restricted to teleosts, the authors have written a general discussion about the role of the notochord in vertebral formation. Modularity and segmentation of the vertebral column are related topics. Further overarching themes are the structure, function and fate of the notochord in adult vertebrates and notochord–cartilage relationships. Key Features The first book devoted to notochord development, function and evolution Includes and integrates information on the notochord from studies going back 169 years Integrates developmental, molecular, functional, experimental and palaeontological studies Documents the fate of the notochord across the vertebrates Extensively illustrated with classical and new images Related Titles Bard, J. Evolution: The Origins and Mechanisms of Diversity (ISNB 978-0-3673-5701-6) Leys, S. and Hejnol. A. Origin and Evolution of Metazoan Cell Types (ISBN 978-1-1380-3269-9)

The Notochord

The Notochord PDF Author: P. Eckhard Witten
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351652036
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 301

Get Book Here

Book Description
Although it is the defining organ of the Chordata, the notochord and its cells are one of the least understood vertebrate organs. This may be because large parts of the notochord are often replaced with cartilaginous or bony vertebral bodies. The presence of cartilage in the notochord raises questions about the evolutionary relationships between notochord cells and cartilage cells. This book integrates classical analytical studies with recent palaeontological, experimental, and molecular studies in both developmental and evolutionary contexts. For example, although the early signaling function of the notochord is conserved across the vertebrates, many will be surprised to find that the role of the notochord in vertebral body development in tetrapods is not the blueprint for all vertebrates. Recent studies on zebrafish and medaka embryos have uncovered the molecular mechanisms of a somite-independent notochord-driven segmentation process that establishes vertebral centra and intervertebral spaces. As this process is not restricted to teleosts, the authors have written a general discussion about the role of the notochord in vertebral formation. Modularity and segmentation of the vertebral column are related topics. Further overarching themes are the structure, function and fate of the notochord in adult vertebrates and notochord–cartilage relationships. Key Features The first book devoted to notochord development, function and evolution Includes and integrates information on the notochord from studies going back 169 years Integrates developmental, molecular, functional, experimental and palaeontological studies Documents the fate of the notochord across the vertebrates Extensively illustrated with classical and new images Related Titles Bard, J. Evolution: The Origins and Mechanisms of Diversity (ISNB 978-0-3673-5701-6) Leys, S. and Hejnol. A. Origin and Evolution of Metazoan Cell Types (ISBN 978-1-1380-3269-9)

Animal Evolution

Animal Evolution PDF Author: NATURAL SCIENCES and MATHEMATICS (500)
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191568244
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
Animal life, now and over the past half billion years, is incredibly diverse. Describing and understanding the evolution of this diversity of body plans - from vertebrates such as humans and fish to the numerous invertebrate groups including sponges, insects, molluscs, and the many groups of worms - is a major goal of evolutionary biology. In this book, a group of leading researchers adopt a modern, integrated approach to describe how current molecular genetic techniques and disciplines as diverse as palaeontology, embryology, and genomics have been combined, resulting in a dramatic renaissance in the study of animal evolution. The last decade has seen growing interest in evolutionary biology fuelled by a wealth of data from molecular biology. Modern phylogenies integrating evidence from molecules, embryological data, and morphology of living and fossil taxa provide a wide consensus of the major branching patterns of the tree of life; moreover, the links between phenotype and genotype are increasingly well understood. This has resulted in a reliable tree of relationships that has been widely accepted and has spawned numerous new and exciting questions that require a reassessment of the origins and radiation of animal life. The focus of this volume is at the level of major animal groups, the morphological innovations that define them, and the mechanisms of change to their embryology that have resulted in their evolution. Current research themes and future prospects are highlighted including phylogeny reconstruction, comparative developmental biology, the value of different sources of data and the importance of fossils, homology assessment, character evolution, phylogeny of major groups of animals, and genome evolution. These topics are integrated in the light of a 'new animal phylogeny', to provide fresh insights into the patterns and processes of animal evolution. Animal Evolution provides a timely and comprehensive statement of progress in the field for academic researchers requiring an authoritative, balanced and up-to-date overview of the topic. It is also intended for both upper level undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in animal evolution, molecular phylogenetics, evo-devo, comparative genomics and associated disciplines.

Vertebrate Development

Vertebrate Development PDF Author: Francisco Pelegri
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319460951
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 554

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Book Description
This book provides a comprehensive overview of topics describing the earliest steps of fertilization, from egg activation and fertilization to the activation of the zygotic genome, in various studied vertebrate model systems. The contribution of maternal and paternal factors and their role in the early embryo as parental DNA becomes modified and embryonic genes become activated is fundamental to the initiation of embryogenesis in all animal systems. It can be argued that this is a unique developmental period, when information from the parents is compressed to direct the development of the body plan of the entire organism, a process of astounding simplicity, elegance and beauty. In addition to their fundamental scientific interest, many frontiers of biomedicine, such as reproductive biology, stem cells and reprogramming, and the understanding of intergenerational diseases, depend on advances in our knowledge of these early processes. Vertebrate Development: Maternal to Zygotic Control brings together chapters from experts in various disciplines describing the latest advances related to this important developmental transition. Each chapter is a synthesis of knowledge relevant to all vertebrates, with details on specific systems as well as comparisons between the various studied vertebrate models. The editorial expertise encompasses the fields of major vertebrate model systems (mammalian, amphibian and teleost) ensuring a balanced approach to various topics. This unique book—with its combination of in-depth and up-to-date basic research, inter-species comprehensiveness and emphasis on the very early stages of animal development—is essential for research scientists studying vertebrate development, as well as being a valuable resource for college educators teaching advanced courses in developmental biology.

Evolution of the Structure and Function of the Notochord

Evolution of the Structure and Function of the Notochord PDF Author: Brian Keith Hall
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 9781498787918
Category : Notochord
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
Although it is the defining organ of Chordates, the notochord is perhaps the least understood of vertebrate organs because it is usually considered a transient structure only present in early embryonic development. Most tetrapods replace the notochord with cartilaginous or bony vertebral bodies and remnants of the notochord persist as intra- or intervertebral spaces and intervertebral discs. The presence of cartilage in the notochord of some tetrapods raises further important questions on the evolutionary relationships between notochordal cells and cartilage cells. This book explores these patterns of relationships between the notochord and vertebral axial chondrogenesis.

Evolution of Chordate Structure

Evolution of Chordate Structure PDF Author: Hobart Muir Smith
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Anatomy, Comparative
Languages : en
Pages : 556

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Book Description


Concepts of Biology

Concepts of Biology PDF Author: Samantha Fowler
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789888407453
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 618

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Book Description
Concepts of Biology is designed for the single-semester introduction to biology course for non-science majors, which for many students is their only college-level science course. As such, this course represents an important opportunity for students to develop the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills to make informed decisions as they continue with their lives. Rather than being mired down with facts and vocabulary, the typical non-science major student needs information presented in a way that is easy to read and understand. Even more importantly, the content should be meaningful. Students do much better when they understand why biology is relevant to their everyday lives. For these reasons, Concepts of Biology is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand.We also strive to show the interconnectedness of topics within this extremely broad discipline. In order to meet the needs of today's instructors and students, we maintain the overall organization and coverage found in most syllabi for this course. A strength of Concepts of Biology is that instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Concepts of Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand--and apply--key concepts.

Chordate Origins and Evolution

Chordate Origins and Evolution PDF Author: Noriyuki Satoh
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 9780128099346
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Chordate Origins and Evolution: The Molecular Evolutionary Road to Vertebrates focuses on echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins, and others), hemichordates (acorn worms, etc.), cephalochordates (lancelets), urochordates or tunicates (ascidians, larvaceans and others), and vertebrates. In general, evolution of these groups is discussed independently, on a larger scale: ambulacrarians (echi+hemi) and chordates (cephlo+uro+vert). Until now, discussion of these topics has been somewhat fragmented, and this work provides a unified presentation of the essential information. In the more than 150 years since Charles Darwin proposed the concept of the origin of species by means of natural selection, which has profoundly affected all fields of biology and medicine, the evolution of animals (metazoans) has been studied, discussed, and debated extensively. Following many decades of classical comparative morphology and embryology, the 1980s marked a turning point in studies of animal evolution, when molecular biological approaches, including molecular phylogeny (MP), molecular evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), and comparative genomics (CG), began to be employed. There are at least five key events in metazoan evolution, which include the origins of 1) diploblastic animals, such as cnidarians; 2) triploblastic animals or bilaterians; 3) protostomes and deuterostomes; 4) chordates, among deuterostomes; and 5) vertebrates, among chordates. The last two have received special attention in relation to evolution of human beings. During the past two decades, great advances have been made in this field, especially in regard to molecular and developmental mechanisms involved in the evolution of chordates. For example, the interpretation of phylogenetic relationships among deuterostomes has drastically changed. In addition, we have now obtained a large quantity of MP, evo-devo, and CG information on the origin and evolution of chordates.

Principles of Developmental Genetics

Principles of Developmental Genetics PDF Author: Sally A. Moody
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080550711
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1094

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Book Description
Unlike anything currently available in the market, Dr. Sally A. Moody and a team of world-renowned experts provide a groundbreaking view of developmental genetics that will influence scientific approaches in embryology, comparative biology, as well as the newly emerging fields of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Principles of Developmental Genetics highlights the intersection of developmental biology with new revolutionary genomic technologies, and details how these advances have accelerated our understanding of the molecular genetic processes that regulates development. This definitive resource provides researchers with the opportunity to gain important insights into the clinical applicability of emerging new technologies and animal model data. This book is a must-have for all researchers in genetics, developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and stem cell biology. • Includes new research not previously published in any other book on the molecular genetic processes that regulates development • Chapters present a broad understanding on the application of animal model systems, allowing researchers to better treat clinical disorders and comprehend human development • Relates the application of new technologies to the manipulation of stem cells, causes of human birth defects, and several human disease conditions • Each chapter includes a bulleted summary highlighting clinical aspects of animal models

Fish Development And Genetics: The Zebrafish And Medaka Models

Fish Development And Genetics: The Zebrafish And Medaka Models PDF Author: Zhiyuan Gong
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9814482854
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 684

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Book Description
The zebrafish is the most important fish model in developmental and genetic analyses. This book contains 19 review articles covering a broad spectrum of topics, from development to genetic tools. The contents range from early development, the role of maternal factors and gastrulation, to tissue differentiation and organogenesis, such as development of the organizer, notochord, floor plate, nervous system, somites, muscle, skeleton and endoderm. The genetic tools cover morpholino knock-down, transgenics, fish cloning, transposons and genome evolution. The book also includes two chapters on genome mapping and embryonic stem cells in medaka, another important model fish. Summarizing the state-of-the-art studies of the zebrafish model and focusing on the molecular aspects of development, this book is a valuable reference for students learning the basic aspects of the zebrafish model, and for researchers seeking resources in zebrafish research.

Evolution and Development of Fishes

Evolution and Development of Fishes PDF Author: Zerina Johanson
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107179440
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 283

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Book Description
World-class palaeontologists and biologists summarise the state-of-the-art on fish evolution and development.