Study of Whole Mounts and Sections of Developmental Stages of the Frog
摘要
Frogs, as amphibians, exhibit a dual mode of life, initially aquatic during embryonic and larval stages, and later terrestrial as adults. Their externally developing embryos and transparent early stages make them ideal models for studying vertebrate embryology. The life cycle of the frog begins with external fertilization, followed by a series of well-defined developmental processes, cleavage, blastulation, gastrulation, neurulation, and organogenesis, leading to distinct embryonic stages, including the morula, blastula, gastrula, neurula, tailbud, and the free-swimming herbivorous tadpole stages with external and internal gills. Subsequent metamorphosis transforms the tadpole into a carnivorous, lung-breathing adult frog, involving significant anatomical and physiological changes such as tail resorption, limb development, and lung formation. Practical study through whole mounts and histological sections allows detailed observation of structural and tissue-level differentiation, offering insights into conserved developmental processes across vertebrates. Frog embryology has broad applications, from understanding early axis formation and neural tube development to gene function, cell signaling, and modeling congenital disorders. Additionally, frog embryos are useful in toxicological studies and regenerative biology, contributing to drug testing and stem cell research. The tadpole stage, with its fish-like traits, provides evidence of evolutionary ancestry, highlighting the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life. This chapter deals with the study of frog embryogenesis, emphasizing its relevance in developmental biology. Through observation, diagrammatic analysis, and microscopy, learners will gain an experience comparable to hands-on practice in tracing the stages and mechanisms of vertebrate development, using the frog as a representative model.