BIOS 325

VERTEBRATE EMBRYOLOGY

Overview: In this course we will investigate the basic processes involved in early vertebrate development and organ formation. These processes,which include growth, determination and differentiation, are responsible for converting a single cell - the fertilized egg - to the complex array of tissues and organs present at birth. Whenever possible, emphasis will be placed on human development. The study of vertebrate embryo development has recently taken on added significance due to advances such as in vitro fertilization, fetal tissue transplantation, embryonic stem cells and cloning. The accessibility of the human embryo in vitro, combined with advances in molecular biology has also opened the door for genetic engineering, and tissue and gene therapy. These embryological advances have raised a number of ethical, religious and legal issues which all of us must confront. Our goals are to help you understand the basic biological principles of embryology and how they are relevant to making informed choices about these issues, how human development is similar to the development of other vertebrates and how abnormalities in developmental processes can lead to congenital defects.

The laboratory and lecture portions of BIOS 325 present complementary views of embryology in a different format. The lecture combines multimedia and class discussions with traditional lecturing techniques. In the laboratory you will study sections of preserved embryos of the frog, bird and pig, observe living embryos (sea urchins and amphibians) and present a poster to the class on a embryology topic that you choose.
Lecture Schedule

Laboratory Schedule

Academic Skills

WWW SITES TO BE VISITED BY STUDENTS

Embryology Websites
Reproduction Websites
Cancer & Genetics Websites

Virtual Embryo
Reproduction Science Resources

Univ of Penn - Oncolink

UNSW Embryology
Reproductive Society

Mammary Gland Biology

Zygote
Cloning

Breast Cancer and Envirnoment

Developmental Biology Online
Ethics of Human Cloning

Breast Cancer/pesticides/diet

Society of Developmental Biology
New Scientist - Cloning

Cancer Case Studies

Wasserman's Develop Biol
Man-Made-Man

Breast Cancer Risks Factors

The Visible Embryo
Cloning Journal

Cancer Net

Heart Embryology
Reproductive Technology

Cancer in the News

Heart Development Tutorial
Reproduction WebRing

Cancer News

Larsen's Human Embryology
Teratology

Cancer Genome Projects

Human and Mouse Embryos
Fetal Surgery

Regional Cancer Trends

Amphibian Embryology Tutorial
Univ. of Utah-Human Reproduction

Cancer Cells Alive

Frog Development
ChemoReception Web

Cancer Case Studies

Fish Development
Olfaction

Ovarian Genes

Basic Embryology Review
Reproduction Problems Set

Gene Clinic

Harvard Genetics, Embryology & Reproduction
Spermatology

Genetic Odyssey

Apoptosis
In Vitro Fertilization

Gene Letter

Stem Cell Primer
Reproductive Hormones

Gene Almanac

Genomics and Stem Cells
Oxford Fertility Unit

DNA, Chromosomes and Genes

Virtual Embryology
Pregnancy and Birth

Anatomy & Histology Sites

Human Heart

Loyola Histology Tutorials

Anatomy Teaching Modules

Bio-Images

The Visible Human Project

Virtual Frog

Structure of the Human Body

Current Literature Resources and Updates

Annenberg Foundation-Medical Ethics

Center for Bioethics-Genetics &Reproduction

PBS Special: A Question of Genes: Inherited Risks

Ethics of Reproductive Technology

Public Broadcasting System

Biology Resource Center

Yahoo Life Science Search

Kimballs Biology

Scientific American

Teaching Evolution/Creationism

Recent Discoveries

inScight

Biological Data

CNN Health News

Science Week

The New York Times

NOVA

Public Broadcasting System

FAQs

Other Sites of Interest

UIC Biology Department
The Visible Human Project

Healthfinder

UIC Wellness Center
HIV- Insite

Health Answers

Leo Miller's Research
Transgenic Plants

CNN Health News

All About Chicago
Before Birth Art

Community Health

Science Literacy
Intersexes

Ultrasound during Pregnancy

Brain Connection
Microbes

Zoological Record

Health Remedies Database
Tissue Engineering

Myths in Reproductive Biology

Evolution -vs- Creationist
Biomaterials

Molecular Biology Graphics

Nutritrion Analysis of your Diet
Using Animals in Research

Biological Molecules and Disease

Quackwatch

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