Human Development

release of enzymes from the head of the sperm, which causes the sperm to penetrate the zona pellucida of the ovum, allowing fertilization to take place

human life stage spanning the transition between childhood and adulthood. It involves rapid physical and emotional changes

human life stage in which an individual has reached full physical and mental maturity, typically starting at 20 years and ending at death

extraembryonic membrane consisting of endoderm that grows out from the yolk sac. It incorporates into the umbilical cord and urinary bladder

extraembryonic membrane forming a transparent sac that fully encloses the embryo. Formed from the embryonic disc, it contains amniotic fluid

clear fluid that surrounds and cushions the embryo within the amnion and enables movement and development

structure consisting of an inner cell mass, the embryoblast, surrounded by the trophoblast, an outer squamous cell layer

one of the two daughter cells produced by the first cleavage of the zygote following fertilization

outermost extraembryonic membrane, formed from the trophoblast. It forms the fetal portion of the placenta and secretes hormones, removes wastes, and provides fetal nutrition

branching protrusions of the embryo's syncytiotrophoblast that penetrate progressively deeper into the endometrium, providing extensive contact with maternal blood

rapid mitotic divisions of the zygote during the three days postfertilization that produce cells called blastomeres

developing human from week three through the end of the eighth week of gestation

occurs in the final stage of gestational development. It extends from week nine until birth and involves major growth and differentiation of organ systems

the formation of a structure from the blastula that has three distinct layers of cells and body axes

carrying and development of an embryo—which forms into a fetus—in the uterus, from fertilization until childbirth

hormone that triggers the secretion by the pituitary of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)

human life stage beginning at the end of the neonatal period—at approximately six weeks—and ending at around two years

spherical bundle of 16 or more cells produced by successive divisions during the preembryonic stage

the first six or seven weeks of life when the individual undergoes drastic changes

temporary vascular organ that normally forms on the uterine wall and through which nutrients and oxygen diffuse from the maternal bloodstream to the developing embryo or fetus

stage of development when the human body becomes capable of reproduction

degeneration of organ systems that takes place between the age of peak physical form and death

outer squamous cell layer of a blastocyst

tissue cord connecting the embryo or fetus to the placenta through three blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients and remove wastes

extraembryonic membrane that forms a small sac and contributes to digestive tract development and formation of blood, sperm, and egg cells

fertilized egg—the single-celled union of the male gamete, or sperm, with the female gamete or egg