Embryology

WebLecture Topics

• Development of a Zygote
• Development of a Human Embryo

Rather than duplicate the information in the text, I'm going to point you at some of the excellent websites available that have animations or videos of processes in the formation of the embryo.

Development of the zygote

Much of our knowledge of zygote development to blastula and gastrula depends on studies of sea urchins. For obvious reasons, close studies of human embryos at this state pose ethical issues, so we look for other species with similar development patterns.

The University of Wisconsin supports a good site explaining why we study sea urchins and the results of those studies. Pay particular attention to the sections on cleavage and gastrulation, and watch the movies!

Develoopment of the Human Embryo

A good study site with lots of pictures and animations, as well as self testing, can be found at the Indiana University Human Embryology site. Rather than breaking down development into the three trimesters, the site discusses the development of each system — nerves, heart and lungs, gastrointestinal track, limbs, and others — throughout the gestation period.

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