Yolanda Segovia

• PhD
• University of Alicante

The retinal structure is generally conserved across vertebrates; however, variations occur due to the relationship between environmental factors and visual perception. Birds have adapted to diverse ecological contexts, evolving specialized visual characteristics. In this study, we examined the retina of Audouin’s Gull (Larus audouinii) using light...

Volcanoes, during their explosive and post-explosive phases, as well as through continuous degassing processes, release a range of pollutants hazardous to human health, including toxic gases, fine particulate matter, and heavy metals. These emissions impact over 14% of the global population living in proximity to volcanoes, with effects that can pe...

The cornea is the transparent part of the eye's outer sheath and the primary refractive element in the optical system of all vertebrates allowing light to focus on the central part of the retina. Maintenance of its curvature and clarity is therefore essential, providing a smooth optical surface and a protective goggle to ensure a focused image on t...

In the context of an active learning process, this study investigated the short-term and long-term academic performance of students in two practical sessions of the Histology course, which included an escape room activity. The impact of this approach on motivation and knowledge retention was also assessed. Students were divided into a control group...

It has been reported that volcanoes release several tonnes of mercury per year among other heavy metals through eruptions, fumaroles, or diffuse soil degassing. Since a high percentage of the world's population lives in the vicinity of an active volcano, the aim of this study is to evaluate the accumulation of these metals in the central nervous sy...

The incorporation of gamification strategies in teaching has been described as a tool to increase the motivation and engagement of students with the subject. Under this premise, an educational innovation experience has been developed using the Kahoot! platform in the first and last laboratory practice of the Cell Biology course of the Biology degre...

Mercury accumulation has been proposed as a toxic factor that causes neurodegenerative diseases. However, the hazardous health effects of gaseous elemental mercury exposure on the spinal cord in volcanic areas have not been reported previously in the literature. To evaluate the presence of volcanogenic inorganic mercury in the spinal cord, a study...

The morphological characteristics of the yellow-legged gull's photoreceptors and cone distribution were studied using light and electron microscopy. In wholemount fresh retinas, five different coloured oil droplets located in the cone inner segments could be seen and characterized by colour, diameter and stratification. The photoreceptors were clas...

Neuroinflammation is a process related to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases; one of the hallmarks of this process is microglial reactivation and the secretion by these cells of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα. Numerous studies report the relationship between neuroinflammatory processes and exposure to anthropogenic air pollutants, but...

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant challenges for the higher education system. The adopted measures to prevent community transmission have shifted face-to-face teaching to virtual education. The new adopted teaching and learning practices have raised the need for reinforcing the social dimension of learning. In this context, we have imple...

Volcanoes are a natural source of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) (Hg0). Monitoring GEM releases of volcanic origin has been widely studied; however, few studies have been performed about the biomonitoring of species exposed to GEM, rendering an unknown risk to the worldwide populations living in the vicinity of an active volcano. In this pilot stu...

The anatomical and histological features of the foveae in a gull, Larus michahellis, were investigated combining immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. In an area of higher acuity, which extends in a band across the field of view, a central convexiclivate deep fovea was observed near of the pecten oculi. Moreover, a shallow fovea...

The health effects of mercury vapor exposure on the brain in volcanic areas have not been previously addressed in the literature. However, 10% of the worldwide population inhabits in the vicinity of an active volcano, which are natural sources of elemental mercury emission. To evaluate the presence of mercury compounds in the brain after chronic ex...

Air pollution has been associated with neuroinflammatory processes and is considered a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Volcanic environments are considered a natural source of air pollution. However, the effects of natural source air pollution on the central nervous system (CNS) have not been reported, despite the fac...

This study aimed at examining the histological structure of the pecten oculi in the adult yellow‐legged gull, Larus michahellis, and at two moments of postnatal development: during the posthatch (nestling) and juvenile periods. Particular attention was paid to differences in the diameter of vessels, the thickness of the basement membrane, and ultra...

Lanthanides, once termed rare‐earth elements, are not as sparce in the environment as their traditional name suggests. Mean litospheric concentrations are in fact comparable to the physiologically fundamental elements such as iodine, cobalt and selenium. Recent advances in medical technology have resulted in accumulation of lanthanides presenting p...

The aim of this study was to provide a better understanding of the main difficulties hindering undergraduate biology students in learning histology. The study utilized a self‐administered questionnaire which included three closed‐ended and two open‐ended questions: (1) if students had difficulty in learning about each tissue type; (2) what might be...

The morphology of the retina of the adult Yellow-legged Gull, Larus michahellis, was examined in transverse sections under light microscopy in order to study the retinal adaptations to their specific photic environment that determines their behaviour. We identified rods, single cones and unequal double cones. Although it is a duplex retina, cones a...

Ribbon synapses located exclusively within retinal, cochlear and vestibular connections belong to the most interesting cellular structures but their molecular nature and functions had remained unclear. The study has provided a descriptive morphological analysis of rat eye ribbon synapses using high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM)....

The retinal structure of the booted eagle (Aquila pennata) was investigated using light and electron microscopy. Particular attention is paid to the main ultrastructural features of the receptor cells. This study reveals six distinct varieties of cones. Unequal double cones differ in shape, structure, and length and are comprised by principal long...

The retina of vertebrates shows adaptations to the visual environment in which they evolve. Thus, there exists a relationship between the topographic distribution of retinal cells, the adaptive strategies employed, and habitat, so that, analyses of retinal ganglion cell topography provide information about the behavioral ecology of a species. Altho...

Using light microscopy, we examined the retina of benthopelagic fish Nezumia sclerorhynchus. Although the retina is typical of other vertebrates, having three nuclear and two synaptic layers, it presents some features associated with the animal's deep-sea habitat. A stratum argenteum containing iridescent crystals is located in the choroid. The pig...

The development of an effective program that combines in vitro maturation (IVM) and cryopreservation for immature oocytes would represent a novel advance for in vitro fertilization (IVF), especially as a means to preserve the fertility of women in unique situations. The aim of this study was to analyze the ultrastructural characteristics of human o...

The retinal layers of birds are the same as those of other vertebrates; however, some variations exist in morphology, areas of visual acuity, and retinal vascularisation. Moreover, as a result of the relationship between environment, visual perception and behaviour, some variations are observed between diurnal and nocturnal birds. In this study, we...

The present study was conducted by using light and transmission electron microscopy to examine the morphologic development of turtle retina from embryonic stage 18 (S18) to S26 (hatching). Particular attention was paid to the formation of functional structures such as neurites, synapses, photoreceptors, among others, and the moment that chemical sy...

Cell biology is an academic discipline that organises and coordinates the learning of the structure, function and molecular composition of cells in some undergraduate biomedical programs. Besides course content and teaching methodologies, the laboratory environment is considered a key element in the teaching of and learning of cell biology. The aim...

To know the molecular aspects that occur in the process of human sperm binding to the human zona pellucida (ZP) is one of the great challenges of reproduction biology. Moreover knowing if the fertilization process may be affected by cryopreservation of female gametes is still another issue discussed in the literature. Based on this, the main object...

To know the molecular aspects that occur in the process of human sperm binding to the human zona pellucida (ZP) is one of the great challenges of reproduction biology. Moreover knowing if the fertilization process may be affected by cryopreservation of female gametes is still another issue discussed in the literature. Based on this, the main object...

The ocular morphology, morphological characteristics and topography of ganglion cell distribution were studied in four eyes of Globicephala melas to estimate the retinal resolution. The ganglion cell layer was composed of a single row of ganglion cells with a primarily round shape and a cell size which varied from 10 to 75 µm (mean 33.5 µm) in diam...

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is a process that occurs during development of the nervous system. The aim of this study was to observe the patterns of apoptosis that occur during embryonic development of the retina from the stage S16 at birth, by light and electron miscoscopia. Turtle embryonic retinas were used for the study. Our data show tha...

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is a process that occurs during development of the nervous system. The aim of this study was to observe the patterns of apoptosis that occur during embryonic development of the retina from the stage S16 at birth, by light and electron miscoscopia. Turtle embryonic retinas were used for the study. Our data show tha...

There is a close relationship between morphological features of sensory systems, their function and habitat to which these organisms are adapting. In this sense, of all marine mammals that have been studied, cetaceans are the ones that have profoundly changed structure and ocular physiology in their adaptation to an exclusively aquatic life. To add...

There is a close relationship between morphological features of sensory systems, their function and habitat to which these organisms are adapting. In this sense, of all marine mammals that have been studied, cetaceans are the ones that have profoundly changed structure and ocular physiology in their adaptation to an exclusively aquatic life. To add...

Con el fin de desarrollar el aprendizaje autónomo, el trabajo en equipo y mejorar la comunicación tanto oral como escrita de los alumnos de Biología Celular, hemos diseñado una serie de actividades en grupo fundamentadas en el aprendizaje basado en problemas. Cada grupo de estudiantes tenía que buscar una enfermedad humana cuya causa fuera consecue...

Müller cells are the main glial cells in the retina, and are related to plexiform layer activity. Recent studies have demonstrated that Müller cells are involved in the synaptic conservation, plasticity, development and metabolism of glutamate. During turtle retinal development, layers, cells and synapses appear at different times. The aim of this...

El objetivo fundamental de este proyecto ha sido introducir una metodología didáctica diferente a la tradicional, en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje de dos asignaturas troncales de los estudios de Biología; la Citología e Histología Vegetal y Animal (primer curso de Biología) y las Bases Celulares de la Conducta (quinto cuso de Biología. La met...

RESUMEN Los videos cortos como materiales de apoyo en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, permiten la transmisión y asimilación de conocimientos científico-técnicos y sociales. Como estrategia de innovación educativa y en el marco del EEES, se diseñaron un conjunto de videos para el estudio de casos en Biología Celular, siguiendo el modelo de la U...