Question

Give an example of apoptosis during embryonic development, and explain its function in the developing embryo.

Short answer

The example of apoptosis during embryonic development is observed in the interdigital regions of hands and feet. In this case, cells in these regions are eliminated due to apoptosis. This process is important for the formation of proper digits as it eliminates the extra cells.

Step-by-step solution

Apoptosis

In the human body or any other animal body, cells that are infected or damaged or have reached the end of their life undergo the process of programmed cell death. The scientific term used for this process is called apoptosis.

Apoptosis, in layman's terms, can be described as cell suicide. In this process, cellular reagents fragment the DNA and other organelles present in the cells; due to this, cells get shrunk and become lobed, which is further engulfed by the scavenger cells.

Embryonic development

Embryogenesis or embryo development is the term used to define the process in which the embryo is formed from the zygote stage after fertilization. It involves several cleavage and divisions of a cell.

The process is very complex and requires various cell signaling pathways to act. In humans, the process takes around 270 days. The majority of the organ system is formed by the seventh month of the pregnancy, and a complete fetus is born around the 9^th month of gestation.

Apoptosis in the embryonic stage

In mammals, including humans and even in some birds, the embryonic region that forms the hands and feet is solid in starting or initial stages.

With time, the process of apoptosis eliminates several cells that are present in the interdigital regions to form digits; this process starts at the margin and reaches the middle, and eliminates the region.