Floor plate
Floor Plate
The Floor Plate (pronounced: /flɔːr pleɪt/) is a crucial structure in the developing nervous system of vertebrates. It is a group of specialized cells located along the midline of the neural tube.
Etymology
The term "Floor Plate" is derived from its location at the ventral midline, or "floor", of the neural tube.
Function
The Floor Plate plays a vital role in the guidance of axon growth and the differentiation of neurons. It secretes a variety of signaling molecules, including Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), which is crucial for the patterning of the ventral neural tube.
Development
The formation of the Floor Plate is a complex process that involves several steps. Initially, cells in the ventral midline of the neural tube differentiate into floor plate cells under the influence of signals from the underlying notochord. Subsequently, these cells proliferate and extend along the length of the neural tube to form the floor plate.
Related Terms
- Neural Tube: The embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord.
- Notochord: A rod-like structure in the embryo that plays a crucial role in the development of the nervous system.
- Sonic Hedgehog (Shh): A signaling molecule that is secreted by the floor plate and notochord and plays a key role in the patterning of the neural tube.
- Axon: A long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.
- Neuron: A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Floor plate
- Wikipedia's article - Floor plate
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