Information Package / Course Catalogue
Animal Embryology
Course Code: BYL410
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 2
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 4
Objectives of the Course

To provide information about the development of different animal groups, To have information about reproductive system gametogenesis and fertilization of different animal groups, different stages of development to compare the different animal groups.

Course Content

- Animal embryonic development processes, Molecular mechanisms regulating cell differentiation, Male and female reproductive system; Structure of testis and ovary, Meiosis-Gametogenesis (spermatogenesis, oogenesis), Sperm and egg morphology. - Egg types in various living groups (sea urchin, frog, bird, mammal), Egg covers, Fertilization, Segmentation and its types, Gastrulation and its types, Mesoderm and Coelom formation, Extraembryonic structures (vitellous sac, amnion, allantois, placenta), organogeny. - Examination of preparations of subjects such as segmentation, blastulation and gastrulation in sea urchins, organ development in frog larvae, ectoderm, endoderm, mesoderm formation and neurulation in early (hourly) chick embryos, organ development in chick embryos (daily) at light microscope level.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. Yücel KOCA
Learning Outcomes
1.Defines the basic concepts and principles of embryology.
2.Understands the mechanisms of gametogenesis, fertilization and early development steps.
3.Understands fertilization and interprets the reasons that prevent fertilization.
4.Understand and explain early embryological development events in different living things.
5.Analyzes the development in different organs, tissues and cells.
6.Understands the structure of male and female reproductive organs, the differences between them, and explains the importance of reproduction and development.
7.Knows the malformations that occur during development and their causes, and understands the importance of treatment methods.
8.Relates and interprets developmental biology with different fields of biology.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Moore Kl., Persaud TVN. The Developing Human –Clinically Oriented Embryology. Fifth Edition, 1993, ISBN 0-7216-4803-7
2.Gilbert SF. Development Biology, 7th edition, 2004,ISBN 13- 978-0878932580
3.Webster S, Wreede R. (Trans. Edt.: Darıcı H, Uçar A, Özçelik F. Embryology at a Glance. Istanbul Medicine Bookstore, 114s, 2018
4.Tabakoğlu-Oğuz, Ayşe. Animal Embryology. Istanbul: Istanbul University Faculty of Science, 2001
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical & Practice
History of embryology, Molecular mechanisms regulating cell differentiation. Methods used in embryology studies.
Week 2 - Theoretical & Practice
The structure of the reproductive system; Anatomical and histological structure of the male and female reproductive system. Male reproductive system; Microscopic structure of testicles and reproductive ducts, spermatogenesis.
Week 3 - Theoretical & Practice
Female reproductive system; ovary, uterine tube and microscopic structure of the uterus. Structure of the ovary, oogenesis.
Week 4 - Theoretical & Practice
Egg types, Egg cover types and functions. Egg types; oligolecithal, telolecithal (mesolecithal, macrolecithal), centrolecithal eggs.
Week 5 - Theoretical & Practice
Segmentation and types; holoblastic (total equal, total inequal), Meroblastic (discoidal, specialized) segmentation. Examination of unfertilized, fertilized eggs and segmentation at the microscope level.
Week 6 - Theoretical & Practice
Gastrulation and neurulation mechanism. Examination of gastrulation and neurulation preparations. Segmentation, blastulation and gastrulation in sea urchin.
Week 7 - Theoretical & Practice
Examining segmentation, morula, blastulation and gastrulation in sea urchin at microscope level.
Week 8 - Theoretical & Practice
Mesoderm formation and its importance for development (Midterm Exam) Examining the development of 3-6-9 mm frog larvae at the microscope level (Midterm Exam)
Week 9 - Theoretical & Practice
Extra-embryonic structures; Vitellus Sac, Amnion-Chorion formation. Examining the development of 12-15 mm frog larvae at the microscope level.
Week 10 - Theoretical & Practice
Extra-embryonic structures; Allantois, Formation of placenta. Examining the development of 18-20 mm frog larvae at the microscope level.
Week 11 - Theoretical & Practice
Digestive system development Examination of ectoderm, endoderm, mesoderm formation and neurulation in early period (24-48-72-96 hours) chick embryo.
Week 12 - Theoretical & Practice
Respiratory system development. Development in chick embryo; Examination of 6-9-12 day old embryo sections.
Week 13 - Theoretical & Practice
Development of structures of mesoderm origin; urinary system. Development in the mammalian embryo; Examination of 3-5-7 day old embryo sections.
Week 14 - Theoretical & Practice
Development of structures of mesoderm origin; genital system development. Development in the mammalian embryo; Examination of 9-12 day old embryo sections.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory141242
Lecture - Practice141242
Midterm Examination1819
Final Examination110111
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)104
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes