Blastula (Noun)
Meaning
Early stage of an embryo produced by cleavage of an ovum; a liquid-filled sphere whose wall is composed of a single layer of cells; during this stage (about eight days after fertilization) implantation in the wall of the uterus occurs.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The blastula is a critical stage in embryonic development, marking the transition from a solid ball of cells to a fluid-filled cavity.
- During the blastula stage, the embryo undergoes significant changes in preparation for implantation in the uterine wall.
- The blastula is characterized by a single layer of cells surrounding a fluid-filled cavity, known as the blastocoel.
- About eight days after fertilization, the blastula reaches the uterus and begins the process of implantation in the uterine lining.
- The formation of the blastula is a crucial milestone in embryonic development, as it sets the stage for the subsequent stages of gastrulation and organogenesis.