Developmental Stages and Events

Help Questions

MCAT Biology › Developmental Stages and Events

Questions 1 - 10
1

What is embryonic cleavage?

Division of cells in the early embryo

Division of the zygote into germ layers

Growth of the cell cytoplasm and organelles

DNA replication

Explanation

Embryonic cleavage is the division of cells without cell growth. Once an ovum is fertilized by a sperm cell, it is called a zygote. The zygote undergoes multiple rapid cell cycles (rounds of mitosis) without significant growth, producing a dense cluster of cells that is the same size as the original zygote. This process is called cleavage.

2

Which stage of embryogenesis if the first to allow cell growth?

Blastula

Morula

Gastrula

Zygote

Explanation

Embryogenesis is the process by which an embryo forms, and begins with fertilization of an ovum by a sperm cell. Once an ovum is fertilized, it is referred to as a zygote. The zygote undergoes rapid mitotic divisions without any significant cell growth, a process called cleavage. After four cell divisions occur, a ball of sixteen cells is produced, which is called the morula. After the seventh cleavage, a ball of 128 cells called the blastula is produced. The blastula allows the addition of the G1 and G2 phases into the cell cycle, permitting the cells to grow in size before dividing. The blastula develops an inner cell mass and trophoblast, and becomes implanted in the uterine lining. A gastrula is formed when cells migrate to the interior of the blastula and form three germ layers: the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. A neurula forms after differentiation of the ectoderm forms the primitive central nervous structures.

3

Mishaps in cell cleavage events can result in which of the following?

All of these

Monozygotic twins

Conjoined twins

Mosaicism

Tetraploidy

Explanation

The series of mitotic divisions that convert a zygote to a multicellular blastocyst is known as cell cleavage. All of the listed answers are possible as a result of cleavage mishaps. Tetraploidy can result from cells that fail to cleave at the end of mitosis. Monozygotic twins are a result of unexpected cleavage events where the zygote splits into two identical halves. Depending on the timing of a cleavage event in a zygote, the split can result in conjoined twins. Mosaicism is a result of improper chromosome segregation during cleavage that can result two distinct karyotypes in a single embryo.

4

What is a blastula?

Sphere of cells surrounding a blastocel

Solid ball of cells within the zona pellucida

Precursor to the morula

Structure that gives rise to embryonic cleavage

Explanation

A blastula is a sphere of cells (blastomeres) surrounding a fluid blastocoele. The blastula stage of embryogenesis begins with the appearance of the blastocoel. The blastocoel is a fluid filled cavity that contains amino acids, proteins, growth factors, and other components neccessary for cellular differentiation. The blastocoel allows blastomeres to move during gastrulation.

A morula is a solid ball of cells within the zona pellucida and is a precursor to the blastula.

5

What is gastrulation?

Phase during embryogenesis in which a single-layered blastula is reorganized into a three-layered structure

Phase during embryogenesis when the embryo implants into the uterine lining

Phase during embryogenesis in which multiple rapid mitotic divisions occur

Phase during embryogenesis in which the single-layered blastula is reorganized into a solid ball of cells

Explanation

Gastrulation is the phase in embryogenesis in which the single-layered blastula is reorganized into a trilaminar structure called the gastrula. These three germ layers are called the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm and give rise to individual organs during organogenesis.

The blastula is implanted into the uterine lining and the morula undergoes rapid cell divisions (cleavage) after fertilization of the zygote.

6

Which of the given embryonic events occurs first?

Cleavage

Gastrulation

Implantation

Neurulation

Explanation

The correct order of the early development is: cleavage, implantation, gastrulation, neurulation.

Cleavage occurs when zygote undergoes many mitotic divisions without cellular growth, becoming a morula and then a blastula. Only after becoming a blastula will the cells begin to grow in size.

Implantation occurs during the blastula stage when the embryo becomes implanted in the uterine lining.

Gastrulation occurs when the three germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm) arise from the blastula. At this stage, the embryo is considered a gastrula.

Neurulation occurs when the germ layers develop a primitive nervous system, transitioning the embryo from a gastrula to a neurula.

7

During what stage of embryogenesis does implantation of the embryo occur?

Blastula

Gastrula

Morula

Zygote

Explanation

Implantation of the embryo occurs during the blastula stage.

The zygote is initially formed by the process of fertilization in the fallopian tube. As the zygote travels within the tube, it begins to undergo cleavage, developing into a morula and eventually a blastula. By this point, it has entered the uterus and can become implanted in the uterine lining. The blastula then begins to differentiate, developing the three germ layers, and becoming a gastrula via the process of gastrulation.

8

Which of the following is false regarding cleavage?

It results in multiple cells that are each the same size as the original cell

It is the first step of embryogenesis after fertilization

It leads to multiple tiny cells, whose volumes all add up to the original cell size

Cleavage occurs regardless of the sex of the fetus

Cleavage happens rapidly after fertilization, but does not continue indefinitely

Explanation

Cleavage occurs immediately after fertilization. It is a rapid process that increases cell number without increase cell size. Essentially, cells divide without any G1 or G2 phase of the cell cycle. The result is several very small cells that take up the same volume as the original singular zygote.

Cleavage generates the morula and, later, the blastula during development. At the blastula stage, the cells develop the G1 and G2 phases of the cell cycle and begin more comprehensive development. At this stage, the embryo begins to differentiate the inner cell mass and trophoblast regions.

9

Which of the following is not a property of the trophoblast?

Gives rise to the embryo

Cells that form the outer layer of the blastula

Gives rise to the placenta

Secretes factors to make the blastocoel

Explanation

The blastula consists of a hollow sphere of cells (blastomeres) surrounding an inner fluid cavity called the blastocoel. There are two regions of the blastula: the inner cell mass (embryoblast) and the trophoblast. The inner cell mass gives rise to the primitive endoderm and epiblast, serving as the site of the developing embryo. The trophoblast cells form the outer ring of the blastocyst and combine with the maternal endometrium to form the placenta.

The inner cell mass, or embryoblast, gives rise to the cells that become the fetus.

10

In what stage of embryogenesis does the embryo develop the three primary germ layers?

The gastrula

The blastocyst

The morula

The neurula

Explanation

The gastrula is formed during the second week following fertilization. At this stage, a process called gastrulation takes place. During gastrulation, the three primary germ layers are formed: the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm.

Prior to gastrulation, the embryo is a blastocyst, and prior to that it is a morula. The morula forms soon after fertilization and is classified by cleavage divisions, increasing the number of cells without increasing the size of the embryo. The blastocyst is characterized by the formation of the inner cell mass and trophoblast; implantation occurs during this stage. After implantation, gastrulation occurs. After the gastrula stage, the embryo begins the process of neurulation (development of the primitive streak and notochord) and becomes a neurula.

Page 1 of 2
Return to subject