Embryology

Embryology is the branch of biology and medicine that studies the development of embryos from fertilization to the fetus stage. It involves the study of how organisms grow and develop from a single cell into a complex multicellular organism.

Key Concepts

Fertilization: The process by which a sperm cell fuses with an egg cell to form a zygote.
Germ layers: The three layers of cells in the early embryo (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm) that give rise to different tissues and organs.
Organogenesis: The process of organ formation during embryonic development.
Developmental stages: The sequence of stages from fertilization to the formation of a complete organism.
Teratogens: Substances that can interfere with normal embryonic development and cause birth defects.

Study Tips

Understand the process of fertilization and the events that occur during early embryonic development.
Learn the major developmental stages and the key events that take place during each stage.
Study the formation of the germ layers and their contributions to the development of different tissues and organs.
Be familiar with common teratogens and their effects on embryonic development.
Use diagrams and visual aids to help understand the spatial and temporal aspects of embryonic development.