Question 13 Marks
The zygote passes through several developmental stages till implantation, describe each stage briefly with suitable diagrams.
Answer

→ The zygote is formed at the ampulla-isthmus junction of the fallopian tube when the union of secondary oocyte and spermatozoa occurs. The zygote undergoes various divisions and changes before it reaches the uterus for implantation.
→ The figure shows the various stages of development of a zygote as it passes through the oviduct and uterus:
(a) The zygote divides into a two-celled stage wide via division or 1st cleavage while the ozygote is still in the isthmus of the oviduct.
(b) Several more mitotic divisions or cleavages occur in the 2 celled stage to form a 2, 4, 8 and finally a 16-celled stage of the zygote.The 16 celled stage is called the morula and various cells formed after cleavage are called blastomeres.
(c) Morula then changes into a blastocyst after a few more divisions and this stage contains a fluid filled cavity in the embryo. The blastomeres become arranged and line up into an outer layer of cells called the trophoblast and an inner mass of cells. The fluid filled cavity is called blastocoel.
(d) Implantation of the embryo occurs at this blastocyst stage by the help of trophoblast layer which embeds itself into the uterine endometrium.
View full question & answer→
→ The zygote is formed at the ampulla-isthmus junction of the fallopian tube when the union of secondary oocyte and spermatozoa occurs. The zygote undergoes various divisions and changes before it reaches the uterus for implantation.
→ The figure shows the various stages of development of a zygote as it passes through the oviduct and uterus:
(a) The zygote divides into a two-celled stage wide via division or 1st cleavage while the ozygote is still in the isthmus of the oviduct.
(b) Several more mitotic divisions or cleavages occur in the 2 celled stage to form a 2, 4, 8 and finally a 16-celled stage of the zygote.The 16 celled stage is called the morula and various cells formed after cleavage are called blastomeres.
(c) Morula then changes into a blastocyst after a few more divisions and this stage contains a fluid filled cavity in the embryo. The blastomeres become arranged and line up into an outer layer of cells called the trophoblast and an inner mass of cells. The fluid filled cavity is called blastocoel.
(d) Implantation of the embryo occurs at this blastocyst stage by the help of trophoblast layer which embeds itself into the uterine endometrium.