AP Biology : AP Biology
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology
All AP Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1221 : Ap Biology
What were the effects of thalidomide on pregnant women when it was used to treat morning sickness during the 1950’s?
Maternal-fetal incompatibility
Carcinogenicity of the fetus
Limb deformities
Miscarriage
Limb deformities
During the 1950’s, thalidomide was an over-the-counter drug advertised and used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women. Thalidomide was later found to cause limb and skeletal deformities in resulting fetuses. Subsequently, the sale and use of the drug has ended.
Example Question #1222 : Ap Biology
Which of the following contributes to the formation of the blastocoel during blastula development?
Compaction of trophoblasts
Gap junctions between embryoblasts
All of these
Cell polarization
All of these
The blastocoel is a fluid-fill cavity region of the blastocyst. The blastocoel is formed through cell polarization, when trophoblasts and embryoblasts differentiate. The trophoblasts are the outer layer of cells that compact to become watertight. Embryoblasts polarize to one end of the cell and form gap junctions for cell-cell communication and developmental coordination. The trophoblasts then secrete fluid into the cavity, which forms the blastocoel.
Example Question #1223 : Ap Biology
Which of the following cell types secrete fluid into the cavity during the formation of the blastocoel during blastula development?
Synctiotrophoblast
Trophoblast
Embryoblast
Epiblast
Trophoblast
The blastocoel is a fluid-filled cavity that is a part of the blastocyst. A compacted trophoblast cell layer surrounds the cavity, making it watertight. Trophoblast cells then secret fluid into the cavity.
Example Question #1223 : Ap Biology
Which of the following best describes when the zona pellucida disintegrates?
Before the onset of cleavage to allow for growth
After an increase in blastocyst size and subsequent zona pellucida "hatching"
Immediately following fertilization as a result of the cortical reaction
After implantation into the uterine wall
After an increase in blastocyst size and subsequent zona pellucida "hatching"
The zona pellucida is a glycoprotein layer secreted by follicle cells that surrounds the released oocyte and developing embryo. Once the blastocoel grows in size during blastula development, the blastocyst “hatches” out of the zone pellucida, which then disintegrates.
Example Question #255 : Systems Physiology
Which of the following steps does not precede blastocyst implantation in the uterine wall?
Breakdown of the endometrial extracellular matrix
"Hatching" from the zona pellucida
Initial loose contacts between the blastocyst and the uterine wall
Irreversible connections between the blastocyst and the uterine wall
Irreversible connections between the blastocyst and the uterine wall
Implantation is the process in which a blastocyst adheres to the female uterine wall. This is preceded by the exit of the blastocyst form the zona pellucida as well as the degradation of the endometrial extracellular matrix by proteolytic enzymes secreted by the blastocyst and initial loose connections with the endometrium. The blastocyst then adheres to the uterine wall through ligand-receptor systems and cell invasion.
Example Question #1226 : Ap Biology
Which of the following is the leading cause of implantation failure?
Foreign substance interference
Medication
Decreased uterine receptivity
Embryo abnormalities
Decreased uterine receptivity
The leading cause of implantation failure is decreased uterine receptivity. Other causes include problems with the developing embryo. Certain medications can be administered to increase chances of successful implantation.
Example Question #1227 : Ap Biology
Which of the following cell layers both ingressions and invaginates during gastrulation?
Hypoblast
Blastocoel
Trophoblast
Epiblast
Epiblast
The epiblast is an inner cell layer in the blastocoel that sits above the hypoblast. The epiblast ingresses to form the mesoderm and invaginates to form the endoderm.
Example Question #1228 : Ap Biology
Which of the following is established by the primitive streak during gastrula development?
All of these
Left/right axes
Bilateral symmetry
Cranial/caudal axes
All of these
The primitive streak is an arrangement of cells that forms during gastrula development. The location of the primitive streak establishes the left/right axes, cranial/caudal axes, and bilateral symmetry of the developing embryo.
Example Question #1229 : Ap Biology
The process of ingression forms which of the following germ layers during gastrula development?
Ectoderm
None of these
Endoderm
Mesoderm
Mesoderm
In gastrulation, the process of ingression forms the mesoderm. In this process, the epiblast ingresses at the primary streak into the area between the epiblast and hypoblast cell layers.
Example Question #1230 : Ap Biology
During which of the following stages of embryonic development does the process of invagination occur?
Fertilization
Gastrulation
Blastula development
Implantation
Gastrulation
Invagination is the infolding of the epiblast cell layer to form the endoderm germ layer. This process takes place during gastrulation.
All AP Biology Resources
