Download Suggestions for reading Spemann and Mangold paper:

Suggestions for reading Spemann and Mangold paper:
1) Read Intro and results up to at least the end of pg. 19.
2) Read Discussion beginning pg 29 and through the Summary on pg. 38.
3) Next to each figure (1-6) write down the major conclusion reached so you'll be ready to
discuss them.
4) Think about whether you agree with the authors regarding each conclusion or is there an
alternative explanation they don't discuss.
Answer the following questions:
1) Why was the dark taeniatus embryo used as recipient in all the experiment?
2) How did the authors conclude that the "organizer" was capable of inducing recipient host
cells to differentiate?
3) Was the induction of host cells by the transplanted organizer due to transplanted ectoderm
cells, or underlying endoderm or mesoderm cells present in the transplant?
4) What is the modern, Genomic equivalent of the early transplantation experiments?
Suggestions for reading De Robertis' review article:
1) Focus on the concepts discussed rather than every gene that is discussed.
2) Mark on each figure what the primary conclusion is and how that is supported from the
experiment.
3) When reading the section entitled "The demise of Spemann's organizer" think about why so
many things can induce neural tissue.
Answer the following questions:
1) What makes amphibian embryos preferable to mouse embryos for some experiments in
studying development (according to the author)? What other reasons are there?
2) What approach took the place of amphibian transplantation and other approaches to
experimental embryology during the "dark ages" of the Spemann Organizer (1941-1991)?