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: Eye morphogenesis begins when the wall of the diencephalon bulges outward as the optic vesicle. The diencephalon is neural tube tissue, that is, neuroectoderm.

Step 2: The distal optic vesicle then folds in on itself like a cup. This optic cup is simply the reshaped optic vesicle, so it shares the same neural ectoderm origin.

Step 3: The inner and outer walls of the cup mature into the neural retina and the retinal pigment epithelium, both neuroectodermal derivatives.

Step 4: Surface ectoderm gives the lens and corneal epithelium, while mesoderm and neural crest contribute to the vascular and fibrous coats, which is why the other choices are wrong.

\[\boxed{\text{Neural ectoderm}}\]