embryonic stages
Early growth periods
Embryonic stages are the distinct phases of development an organism passes through from fertilization until birth or hatching.
In humans, these include the zygote, morula, blastocyst, and embryo proper, with the term "fetus" typically applied after about eight weeks.
Scientists study embryonic stages to understand how cells differentiate and organs form, and the concept extends metaphorically to early phases of any developing project or idea: The proposal is still in its embryonic stages.
- gastrulationEmbryo forms primary layers
- zygoteFirst embryonic cell
- cell divisionParent splitting into offspring
- budUnopened plant growth
- seedEmbryonic plant capsule
organogenesis · trophoblast · notochord · morphogenesis · stem cells · sprout · fetal development · yolk sac · amnion · apoptosis · chorion · trimester · tadpole · womb · cleavage · umbilical · fetus · gestation
embryonic stagesadulthood
State of being grown
adult form · larval stage · adult stage · maturity · senescence
embryonic stagessenescence
Gradual functional decline with age
end of life · death · old age · terminal stage · decline