Morula (Noun)
Meaning
A solid mass of blastomeres that forms when the zygote splits; develops into the blastula.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The morula is a critical stage in embryonic development, marking the transition from a loose cluster of cells to a more organized structure.
- During the first week after fertilization, the zygote undergoes several cell divisions, eventually forming a compact morula that begins to differentiate into distinct layers.
- In the laboratory, researchers can induce the formation of a morula from a fertilized egg, allowing them to study the earliest stages of embryonic development.
- The morphology of the morula can provide valuable insights into the developmental potential of an embryo, with irregularities in shape or size potentially indicating abnormalities.
- As the morula develops, it undergoes a series of complex cellular rearrangements, ultimately giving rise to the blastula, a fluid-filled cavity that will eventually form the embryo.