Micromeres

Macromeres

Early Cleavage

Blastocoel

Blastula
 Ectoderm

Mesoderm

Endoderm

Blastocoel (Blastopore)

Early Gastrula

Gastrocoel (Primitive Gut)

Mesodermal Cells

Gastrula
 Neural Groove

Neural Folds

Archenteron

Mesoderm

Neurula

Neural Tube

Notochord

Archenteron (Primitive Gut)

Ectoderm

Outer Somatic Layer

Actively dividing mesodermal cells

Neurula to Organogenesis
 The four initial stages of embryonic development are the morula stage, the blastula
stage, the gastrula stage and the neurula stage or organogenesis. Morula stage is
an early stage in post-fertilization development when cells have rapidly mitotically
divided to produce a solid mass of cells (16 or more) with a “mulberry”. The blastula
stage is an early stage of embryonic development in animals that involves cells
dividing and creating a hollow group of cells called a blastula. The gastrula is the
stage of embryonic development at which the embryo appears as three distinct
layers of cells (the germ layers): the exterior ectoderm, the middle mesoderm, and
the interior endoderm. A Neurula is an embryo at the early stage of development in
which neurulation occurs. Neurulation is the development of the nervous system in
the vertebrates, at the thickened area above the notochord in ectoderms. The neural
plate will fold to produce the neural tube which will develop into the brain.

The mammalian embryo obtains nutrients directly from its mother and does not rely
on stored yolk. The hypoblast cells delaminate from the inner cell mass to line the
blastocoel cavity, where they give rise to the extraembryonic endoderm, which forms
the yolk sac. During the next week or so, the embryo receives its nourishment and
oxygen from the cells that make up the lining of the uterus. The two layers of cells
become more pronounced. A structure called the yolk sac starts to form. The yolk
sac will provide nutrients to the embryo while the placenta is developing. The embryo
gets nourishment inside the mother body through a special tissue called placenta.
The embryo grows inside the mother's womb and gets nourishment from mother's
blood through the tissue called placenta. The placenta is a temporary organ that
develops in the uterus during pregnancy.