Glossary
Epithelium
Membranous tissue composed of one or more layers of cells separated by very little intercellular substance and forming the covering of most internal and external surfaces of the body and its organs.
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Fertilisation
The fusion of gametes resulting in the production of a new organism. The point at which egg and sperm fuse.
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Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs)
A family of cytokines with diverse functions including neural induction.
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Floor plate
A signalling centre induced in the most ventral region of the neural tube by sonic hedgehog signals from the notochord.
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Folic acid
A water-soluable vitamin belonging to the B-complex group of vitamins. It has roles in carbohydrate metabolism and has also been shown to help prevent neural tube disorders.
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Follicular cyst
A cyst caused by the retention of secretions in a follicular space due to the blockage of a duct, especially in a Graafian follicle.
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Follistatin
An antagonist of BMP 4 related BMP 7 signalling molecules and activin, important in neural induction.
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Forebrain
The most anterior of the three primary regions of the embryonic brain from which the telencephalon and diencephalon develop.
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Gastrulation
The formation of the primordial gut, the archenteron, or digestive cavity of an early animal embryo.
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GATA transcription factors
A family of transcription factors characterized by their ability to bind to the sequence "GATA".