Prenatal Development Essay

782 Words4 Pages
Prenatal Development Prenatal development is the process by which a baby is formed. This cycle is typically divided into three stages. These are known as the germinal, embryonic, and fetal stages. The time it takes to complete this process is generally 38 to 40 weeks. The germinal stage is the first to occur and begins when the mother’s egg is fertilized by the sperm of the father. This naturally happens in one of the two fallopian tubes. After the egg is fertilized it is called a zygote. The zygote will begin to move from the fallopian tube into the uterus. About 24 to 36 hours after fertilization, cell division will begin. The zygote begins as a single cell, but will double in cell count after each division. After the zygote divides into eight cells, differentiation begins and cells will take on the characteristics of the type of cell they will become. The cells will continue to divide and two distinct masses will begin to develop. These will become the embryo and placenta. At this point the cells are known as a blastocyst. This blastocyst will eventually reach the uterus and imbed itself into the uterine wall. After the blastocyst attaches to the uterine wall, the embryonic stage of prenatal development begins. This occurs at about two to three weeks after fertilization. The cells continue to divide and will reach a point where three layers are distinguishable. The outer layer is called the ectoderm and is comprised of cells that will become the nervous system and skin. The middle layer is called the mesoderm and consists of cells that will form the muscular and skeletal systems. The inner layer is called the endoderm and contains cells that will make up the digestive and respiratory systems. These cells are now known collectively as an embryo. The embryo will develop most of the organ systems during this stage as well as a head,
Open Document