Development of the Down Feather

Synopsis

Shows the origin and development of the down feather in the chick embryo. A piece of embryonic skin from a seven-day chick is explanted to a plasma clot. The cells in the mesodermal layer migrate and aggregate to form clusters. The epidermis over these clusters thickens. The mesoderm pushes upward into the epidermal cells. The growth continues, and the column bends to lie flat. By the twelfth day, the epidermis forms folds and is separated from the mesoderm by a basement membrane. At each fold, cells fuse into a barb. Along the barb, cells outside the barb fuse to form barbules. Near the base the barbs join forming rachis. At hatching a covering sheath splits off, the mesoderm dries, and the feather fluffs out. Uses live photography and animation to demonstrate the development.

Language

English

Country

United States

Medium

Film; Film. 16mm. sd. col. 7 min.

Technical information

Black-and-white / Sound

Year of production

1972

Availability

Hire

Documentation

Accompanying notes.

Uses

Coursesin developmental biology and zoology.*

Subjects

Biology

Keywords

chickens; embryology; feathers; physiology - animal

Credits

Director

Eugene Bell

Distribution Formats

Type

Film

Format

16mm

Production Company

Name

USA

Name

USA

Distributor

Name

Higher Education Film & Video Library

Email

services@bufvc.ac.uk

Web

http://bufvc.ac. External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7393 1503

Fax

020 7393 1555

Address

c/o British Universities Film & Video Council
77 Wells Street
London
W1T 3QJ

Notes

Catalogue available from British Universities Film & Video Council.