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WEEK NO. 10 and 11

Title Exercise 6: Development of Frog Embryo

Duration 6 hours

Objectives At the end of the activity, the students should be able to:
1. outline the development of the frog embryo from cleavage to
formation of the various organs;
2. distinguish the different morphological features of the various stages
of development; and
3. relate the different embryonic structures with their fate in the organ
systems’ development.

Introduction The development of frog larvae begins with the fertilization of the
egg. Amphibian eggs are relatively large and can be readily obtained.
Because of this fact, frogs, as representative of amphibians, are one of
those favorite animals studied in the field of embryology.

The study of amphibian development, when compared to that of

other organisms, demonstrates the basic similarities in developmental
events and processes among different vertebrates, such as birds and
mammals.

Discussion Frog Embryology

Cleavage. This first stage of embryonic development is exhibited by

the process of nuclear and cell divisions in animal zygote. Prominent
in this process is the formation of the two distinctive poles. The yolk-
free pole of the egg is the animal pole where cellular divisions occur
faster. The cells (blastomeres) produced here are smaller, thus, termed as
micromeres.

The yolk-rich pole is referred to as the vegetal pole which is

characterized by large blastomeres called the macromeres. The
cleavage furrows pass through the entire egg, so that this process
is classified as holoblastic cleavage.

Blastula. This is the stage between the appearance of distinct

blastomeres and the end of cleavage. This consists of a hollow mass
of cells which are packed together by its prominent vitelline
membrane. This process is highlighted by the formation of the
blastocoel (segmentation cavity), the cavity which is large and
eccentric in position.

The micromeres are now forming the roof of the blastocoel while the
macromeres form the floor of the blastocoel.

Gastrula. This is usually the formation of a cap or sac-shaped, two-

layered walls of cells surrounding a cavity, the archenteron.

Archenteron. It is the inner tube lined with mesentodermal

cells. Its cavity is called the gastrocoel.

Blastopore. It is the external opening of the archenteron.

Ectoderm. It is the outermost layer of cells.

Mesoderm. It is the layer of cells at the roof of the

archenteron.

Endoderm. It is the layer of cells at the floor of the

archenteron and is located innermost.

Blastocoel. It is the narrow space between archenteric roof

and the ectoderm. Only its remnants are seen.

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Yolk plug. It is a mass of large yolky cells that block the

blastopore which sometimes appears as protruding structure
to the blastopore.

Dorsal lip. It is the well-defined upper margin of the

blastopore.

Ventral lip. It is the well-defined lower margin of the

blastopore.

Fertilization membrane. It envelops the gastrula.

Neural. This is the embryonic stage which follows gastrulation

process. This is the stage during which the neural axis is formed.

Ectoderm. This outermost layer is very evident on this stage,

investing on the following parts:

Neural plate. It is relatively flattened in shape and

bounded on both sides by a low ridge.

Neural fold. It is an elevation of the ectodermal layer

at the sides of the thickened and depressing neural
plate.

Neural tube. It is the plate which has been folded into

a tube with the fusion in the midline of the neural
folds.

Neurocoel. It is the cavity of the neural tube. This is

formed simultaneously with the closure of the neural
folds.

Mesoderm. It is a flat layer beneath the neural plate with

curved lateral wings extending downward on each side of the
embryo. It is located between the endodermal and
ectodermal layers.

Notochord. It is the rounded mass of mesodermal

cells lying in the midline directly beneath the neural
plate.

Somites/Epimere. They are blocks of mesodermal

cells flanking the notochord on each side and lying
beneath the lateral parts of the neural plate.

Lateral plate/hypomere. It is the remainder of the

mesoderm that will eventually meet and fuse at the
mid-ventral line.

Nephrotome/mesomere. It is a narrow region of the

mesoderm between the somite and the lateral plate. It
is also termed as intermediate mesoderm.

Coelom. It is a narrow cleft formed from the splitting of the

mesoderm.

Endoderm. It is a layer of large mass of cells heavily laden

with yolk surrounding the definite archenteron, the central
cavity.

Fertilization membrane. It is the loose envelope above the

neurula.

Gut cavity. It is the cavity formed by the inner tube which is

lined with mesentodermal cells.

Structure at the level of telencephalon, diencephalon and the

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eyes:

Telencephalon. This is derived from the forebrain

(procencephalon) which is the anterior region of the primitive
brain.

Brain wall. This is composed of different layers:

Ependymal layer. It is a one-cell thick lining and the

innermost layer of the neurocoel.

Mantle layer. It is the broad layer adjacent to the

ependymal layer which becomes the gray matter of
the central nervous system (CNS).

Marginal layer. It is the outermost fibrous layer

which becomes the white matter of the CNS.

Buccal cavity. This spacious chamber lined with a flat

epithelium into which the mouth and the nasal passageways
open. It is derived from stomaderm.

Melanophores. They are light brown stellate cells over the

dorso-lateral surface of the brain and lateral to the nasal
organs.

Cartilages. They are small masses of hyaline cartilages, the

prechordal or trabecular types, seen beneath the
telencephalic hemisphere.

Mesenchyme. A loose reticulum of mesodermal cells which

are stellate in appearance and migratory in behavior found in
the spaces between the epidermis and the other organs
mentioned.

Epidermis. It is the outermost two-cell layer of the skin

derived from the ectoderm.

Diencephalon. It is the median, ventrically elongated brain

vesicle posterior to the telencephalon.

Infundibulum. It is a funnel-like envagination of floor of

diencephalons which, along with hypophysis, will give rise to
pituitary gland of adult.

Eyes. They are well-developed structures at this stage with

the following prominent parts:

Cornea. It is the superficial covering of the eye.

Lens. It is the spherical body, arising as vesicle and is partly

enclosed by the optic cup.

Retina. It is the thick layer of the optic cup.

Pharynx. It is a flat and broad gut at this level.

Hypobranchial cartilage. It is a mass of long bar of

cartilage below the floor of the foregut which supports the
pharynx.

Structures at the level of the myelencephalon and ears:

Myelencephalon. It is a large brain vesicle with thick floor

(basal plates) and thin roof, the latter becomes the posterior
choroid plexus.

Ear (auditory vesicle).

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Endolymphatic duct. It is a thick-walled tube lying

against the medulla which marks the course of the
invagination of the auditory vesicle from the ectoderm.

Urticulus. It is the large chamber of the auditory

vesicle.

Semi-circular canals. They are the sacculations of

the urticulus in the anterior, horizontal and posterior
parts.

Auditory (acoustic) ganglion. It is a dense mass

located at the medial surface of the auditory vesicle.

Notochord. The sagittal skeletal rod beneath the hindbrain.

Parts of the Heart:

Pericardial cavity. It is a coelomic space that

encloses the heart.

Conus (bulbus). It is the anterior most chamber of

the heart connected to the ventral aorta.

Ventricle. It is the chamber next to the conus as it is

connected to the latter at the right side.

Atrium. It is a large-thin walled chamber which is

dorsally situated.

Gill chambers (opercular cavities). They are large paired

chambers continuous to the cavity of the gut which are found
on both sides of the heart. They contain folded internal gills
that bear blood vessels.

Dorsal aorta. They are paired vessels, one above each gill
chamber.

Aortic arches. They are embryonic vessels encircling the

pharynx.

Structures at the level of the pronephros:

Pronephros. They are paired larval excretory organs in the

dorso-lateral angle of the body cavity.

Myotomes. They are segmented blocks of skeletal muscles

flanking the notochord.

Pleuroperitoneal cavity. It is the large coelomic cavity in

which all visceral organs, except the heart, are suspended.

Esophagus. It is a tube with folded endodermal lining just

below the notochord.

Dorsal aorta. They are paired blood vessels between the gut
and chorda.

Stomach. It is a ventrally, large thick-walled structure with

deep invaginations of the endodermal lining to form the
rudiments of the gastric glands.

Liver. It is an organ to the right of the midline of loose

organization of liver cords interspersed with sinusoids.

Pancreas. It is an organ to the right of the liver and bile duct.

Lung-buds. They are thick-walled ovals on each side of the

esophagus.

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Structures at the level of the tail region:

Dorsal fin. This structure is derived from the ectodermal

layer and is located above the spinal cord.

Notochord. It is the primary structure in initiating the

formation of the central nervous system (CNS). This extends
at the caudal portion of the embryo.

Proctodeum. It is an ectodermal pit in the region of the

future cloaca. It appears as a ventral invagination anterior to
the ventral fin.

Spinal cord. This is located dorsal/superior to the notochord.

Ventral fin. This is at the caudal end of the body. It is also

derived from the ectoderm.

Activity  Identify the structure of the frog’s early embryonic development in

various stages as described above.

Early Embryonic Development of Frog

Early cleavage Late cleavage

Mid-gastrulation
Blastula

Late gastrula Late gastrula

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Neural groove Neural tube

Late neural tube

Late Embryonic Development of

Frog

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Afterwards, answer Activity 6. Once accomplished, cut the activity at the

perforated side and submit it to the laboratory instructor.

References Note:
 This part of the module was adopted from Comparative Embryology
of the Vertebrates: A Laboratory Manual (Salibay et al., 2002).
 Photos:
Downloaded from DBonline.com
https://nphistology.wordpress.com/development/frog/

Name: Date:
Laboratory Schedule: Score:

Activity 6
Development of Frog Embryo

1. How would you relate Van Baer’s law with the development of the frog embryo?
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2. Label the structures of the early embryonic development of frog.

1. ____________________

2. ____________________

3. ____________________

4. ____________________

5. ____________________

6. ____________________

7. ____________________

8. ____________________

1. ____________________

2. ____________________

3. ____________________

4. ____________________

5. ____________________

1. ____________________

2. ____________________

3. ____________________

4. ____________________

5. ____________________

6. ____________________

1. ____________________

2. ____________________

3. ____________________

4. ____________________

5. ____________________

6. ____________________

7. ____________________

8. ____________________

9. ____________________

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1. ____________________

2. ____________________

3. ____________________

4. ____________________

5. ____________________

6. ____________________

7. ____________________

8. ____________________

3. Label the structures of the late embryonic development of the frog.

Ten mm frog embryo section through the eye (100x)

1. ____________________
2. Lens
3. ____________________
4. Visceral muscle
5. Ceratohyal
6. Adhesive organ/ventral
sucker
7. ____________________
8. ____________________
9. ____________________
10. ____________________
11. ____________________

Ten mm frog embryo section through the ear (100x)

1. IV ventricle
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
4. Ganglion IX
5. Dorsal aorta
6. ____________________
7. ____________________
8. ____________________
9. ____________________
10. ____________________

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Ten mm frog embryo section through the pronephros (100x)

1. Spinal cord
2. Notochord
3. Esophagus
4. ____________________
5. ____________________
6. ____________________
7. ____________________
8. ____________________
9. ____________________
10. ____________________

Ten mm frog embryo section through the tail region (100x)

1. Dorsal fin
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
4. ____________________
5. ____________________

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