BLASTULA Meaning and
Definition
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A blastula refers to a developmental stage in the early embryonic development of animals, occurring after the morula stage. This stage is characterized by the formation of a hollow ball-like structure composed of a single layer of cells, known as blastomeres. The blastula begins to form when the zygote undergoes multiple rounds of cell division, leading to the formation of a mass of cells called the morula. These cells then rearrange themselves to form a hollow sphere with a single layer of cells surrounding a fluid-filled cavity called the blastocoel.
The blastula serves as a crucial stage in embryonic development as it precedes the formation of more complex structures, such as the gastrula. During gastrulation, the blastula undergoes further cellular rearrangements, resulting in the formation of three distinct germ layers from which the various tissues and organs of the organism will eventually develop.
The blastula is observed in many animal phyla, including but not limited to, sponges, cnidarians, echinoderms, and chordates. However, the exact timing and specific structural characteristics of the blastula may vary across different organisms. The blastula stage is important for the overall organization and differentiation of the embryo, laying the foundation for the subsequent stages of development.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BLASTULA
Etymology of BLASTULA
The word "blastula" derives from the Greek term "blastos", meaning "sprout" or "germ", and the suffix "-ula", which denotes a diminutive or small size. The term was coined in the early 19th century by the German biologist Karl Ernst von Baer to describe an early stage of embryonic development characterized by a spherical arrangement of cells. The name reflects the concept of the blastula as a small progenitor or "sprout" from which more complex tissues and organs develop during embryogenesis.
Similar spelling words for BLASTULA
- blastocoel,
- blust,
- blastoff,
- blasting,
- blastema,
- blastoporal,
- blastular,
- blastoma,
- blast wave,
- blasted,
- blest,
- blastocyst,
- blastematic,
- bluestem,
- blastemal,
- blast,
- blaster.
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