embryo
Sign in to saveAn embryo ( ) is the initial stage of development for a multicellular organism. In organisms that reproduce sexually, embryonic development is the part of the life cycle that begins just after fertilization of the female egg cell by the male sperm cell. The resulting fusion of these two cells produces a single-celled zygote that undergoes many cell divisions that produce cells known as blastomeres. The blastomeres are arranged as a solid ball that when reaching a certain size, called a morula, takes in fluid to create a cavity called a blastocoel. The structure is then termed a blastula, or a
AI overview
An embryo is the earliest stage of development in a multicellular organism, beginning right after a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell in sexually reproducing species. The fertilized egg then divides repeatedly, eventually forming a structured ball of cells with a fluid-filled cavity, which marks the transition into more complex development.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Embryology.Name
- Embryo
- Embryology.Image
- Embryo 7 weeks after conception.jpg
- Embryology.Caption
- A human embryo seven weeks after conception (nine weeks gestational age)
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
12 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Development
- Animal embryos
- Plant embryos
- Research and technology
- Biological processes
- Assisted reproductive technology
- Cryoconservation of plant and animal biodiversity
- Fossilized embryos
- See also
- Notes
- External links
An embryo ( ) is the initial stage of development for a multicellular organism. In organisms that reproduce sexually, embryonic development is the part of the life cycle that begins just after fertilization of the female egg cell by the male sperm cell. The resulting fusion of these two cells produces a single-celled zygote that undergoes many cell divisions that produce cells known as blastomeres. The blastomeres are arranged as a solid ball that when reaching a certain size, called a morula, takes in fluid to create a cavity called a blastocoel. The structure is then termed a blastula, or a blastocyst in mammals.
The mammalian blastocyst hatches before implantating into the endometrial lining of the womb. Once implanted the embryo will continue its development through the next stages of gastrulation, neurulation, and organogenesis. Gastrulation is the formation of the three germ layers that will form all of the different parts of the body. Neurulation forms the nervous system, and organogenesis is the development of all the various tissues and organs of the body.