Question

You have been assigned to determine how gastrulation occurs in dimetrodons. In order to do so, you have decided to locate the equivalent of the Spemann organizer. Design two different experiments to do so. Indicate your anticipated results, what they would show, and possible difficulties that may occur

Answer 1

ANSWER :-

1. First of all, a Spemann organizer is a group of cells which is localized in the gray crescent part of the dorsal portion of the embryo of an amphibian. These cells specifically release two factors that are associated with designing a fate for the cells which are present besides them. In case of Spemann's experiment, its presence influenced conversion of the ectoderm cells into the central nervous system. This indicates Its prominent role in the development of the neural tissue and structures.
2. Its equivalent needs to be identified in a Synapsis called Dimetrodon. This animal shared similar mammalian features. To be more specific, embryological development can also be related in certain aspects. First experiment should involve positioning of the embryo in order to isolate the cells that are present near the gray crescent area or more specifically the blastopore region. There is a growth factor called as Transforming Growth Factor called Activin which binds to the cells in the gray crescent region in order to induce the process of formation of designated structures or induction. This Activin peptide can be artificiallyd synthesized and can be labelled by a Fluorescent dye and can then be used to induce expression from the gray crescent cells thereby identifying their position. This mechanism is similar with respect to the polarity of embryos from mammals as well as amphibians and hence can be used to tag the cells. It can be concluded that the peptide will bind to the gray crescent cells inducing them to produce Chordin and Nuggin which inhibits the conversion of ectoderm to skin (epidermis). Although, the dye would help to specifically locate the cells and would help to identify the conversion of the gray crescent cells into neural plate. This would help to get details regarding protein gradient in the zone.
3. In the second experiment, cells from an amphibian Spemann organizer can be transferred by aseptic technique into the embryo of a virtual embryo of Dimetrodon in order to check whether the nature of action would be similar to that seen in amphibians and if it happen, to tag the gradient specific zones and thereby the way in which the cells induce the process of formation of neural plate.

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