Question

Optic cup is derived from?

• A. Neural ectoderm
• B. Surface ectoderm
• C. Mesoderm
• D. Neural crest

Hint:

It is an invagination of the optic vesicle from the forebrain.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: The eye develops from an outpouching of the forebrain (diencephalon). This outpouching is the optic vesicle, which is made of neuroectoderm.

Step 2: The optic vesicle invaginates to form a double-layered cup, the optic cup. Because it is a direct continuation of the optic vesicle, the optic cup is derived from neural ectoderm. Hence the answer is neural ectoderm.

Step 3: The two layers of the optic cup go on to form the retina, the outer layer becoming the retinal pigment epithelium and the inner layer the neural retina.

Step 4: The lens forms from surface ectoderm, the sclera and choroid largely from mesoderm and neural crest, so those options do not match the optic cup.