Embryology is the study of the development of an embryo and fetus during pregnancy. It is a branch of developmental biology that focuses on the changes that occur during the early stages of life, from fertilization to birth.
During the process of fertilization, an egg is fertilized by a sperm, resulting in the formation of a zygote. The zygote then begins to divide and differentiate, forming the various cell types that will make up the developing embryo.
As the embryo develops, it goes through a series of stages, including the blastocyst stage, the embryonic stage, and the fetal stage. During these stages, the embryo will undergo significant changes as it grows and develops into a fully formed individual.
Embryologists study the development of the embryo and fetus in order to understand how different organ systems form and function, and to identify any potential abnormalities or defects that may occur during development. Understanding the process of embryonic development is important for a number of applications, including reproductive medicine, stem cell research, and the study of genetic disorders.
