mod 4: From Fertilization to Birth Flashcards
implantation (definition)
burrowing of the blastocyst into the wall of the endometrium of the uterus
embryo (definition)
the organism in the stages of development from the time the zygote begins cleavage until nine weeks of gestation, when the embryo becomes a fetus
fetus (definition)
the organism in the stages of development from nine weeks until birth
extra-embryonic membranes (general definition, list)
membranes surrounding the embryo that support its development in different ways. includes the allantois, amnion, chorion, and yolk sac
monozygotic twins (definition)
“identical twins”. formed when the embryonic mass produced by the union of one egg and one sperm splits into two separate, identical masses. always of the same sex
zygote (definition)
the one-celled product of an egg and sperm fusion. a fertilized egg
fertilization process (step by step description)
1) sperm (several hundred million per ejaculation) exit the penis and enter the vagina.
2) the sperm enter the uterus through the cervix and make their way up to the oviducts–some will enter the oviduct that does not contain an egg.
3) the sperm (only a few dozen to a few hundred) reach the egg cell. they meet the outer layer of the egg–the corona radiata.
4) the sperm releases the enzymes within its acrosome, which digest a path through the corona radiata and the the zone pellucida beneath it. the action of many sperm may be needed to open a pathway for a single sperm.
5) the sperm enters the egg, causing the egg’s membrane to depolarize and prevent the entrance of additional sperm.
6) the nuclear membranes of the sperm and egg disappear and the nuclei combine, completing the process and resulting in a zygote
cleavage (description)
occurs after fertilization within the oviduct. the process of cell division without enlargement. when the zygote cleaves into 16 cells it is called a morula
morula (definition)
undifferentiated mass of 16 cells. developed from a zygote through cleavage
blastocyst (definition, formation)
embryo at the stage where it consists of a nearly hollow ball of cells that is made up of two groups of cells: the trophoblast and inner cell mass. develops from the morula when it enters the uterus and fluid from the uterus diffuses into the morula, creating an open space within it. the trophoblast is the outer layer and will form the chorion while the inner cell mass is attached to the inside of the trophoblast and will form the baby
implantation process (description)
between the fifth and seventh day after fertilization the blastocyst attaches to the endometrium. the trophoblast secretes enzymes that digest some of the tissues and blood vessels of the endometrium, causing the blastocyst to sink into uterine wall. this is complete within two weeks after fertilization. at this point, the person is considered pregnant
hCG (function, secreted by)
“human chorionic gonadotropin”. same effects as LH so it maintains the corpus luteum past the tome when it would normally degenerate, resulting in continued secretion of estrogen and progesterone that maintains the endometrium and prevents menstruation.
secreted by the trophoblast at a high level for two month and then gradually declines to a low level by four months
gastrulation (definition)
the folding and differentiation of the embryonic disc into three germ layers, forming the embryonic stage called the gastrula.
blastocyst to gastrula process (timing, description)
occurs during second week after fertilization.
the amniotic cavity forms between the cell mass and blastocyst and the inner cell mass flattens into the embryonic disc, which is supported by a short stalk that connects the blastocyst to the endometrium. the embryonic disc consists of three primary germ layers: the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm (in order from inner to outer).
morphogenesis (definition)
development of body organs and structures. begins with gastrulation
differentiation (definition)
the turning on and off of genes in a cell. results in specialized cell functions
neurulation (definition, process)
the process of forming the embryo’s neural tube, which will develop into the brain and spinal cord.
thickened band of mesoderm cells develops along the back of the embryonic disc along where the baby’s back will be. they come together to form a rod-like structure called the notochord, which will form the basic framework of the skeleton. the nervous system develops from the ectoderm just above the notochord. cells on the surface above the notochord begin to thicken, folds develop and then fuse, forming the neural tube
allantois (definition)
extra-embryonic membrane that forms the foundation for the umbilical cord, which the connects the fetus with the placenta. forms part of the bladder
amnion (definition)
extra-embryonic membrane that is a closed, fluid-filled sac surrounding the developing organism. protects the organism from impact and temperature change. formed from cells of the embryonic disc
chorion (definition)
extra-embryonic membrane that is the outermost layer of the embryo. develops from the trophoblast and forms the fetal portion of the placenta
yolk sac (definition)
extra-embryonic fluid that produces the first blood cells and gametes and contributes to the formation of the digestive tract