Blastula

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Blastula
Blastulation. 1 - morula, 2 - blastula.
Days 4
Dorlands/Elsevier b_14/12188083

The blastula is an early stage of embryonic development in animals. It is also called blastosphere. It is produced by cleavage of a fertilized ovum and consists of a spherical layer of around 128 cells surrounding a central fluid-filled cavity called the blastocoel. The blastula follows the morula and precedes the gastrula in the developmental sequence.


[edit] Research

A whitefish blastula is often used to help study the processes of mitosis in animal cells.[1] The blastula is prevented from multiplying during the nuclear-injection stage.

[edit] Blastula and blastocyst

In mammals, blastulation leads to the formation of the blastocyst, which must not be confused with the blastula; even though they are similar in structure, their cells have different fates.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Whitefish Mitosis. Retrieved on 2007-10-11.
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Developmental biology > Human embryogenesis (development of embryo) and development of fetus (some dates are approximate - see Carnegie stages and a timeline)
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