The Beginning of Human Development

Gametogenesis is a series of changes that converts male and female sex cells
into matured gametes.

Spermatogenesis and oogenesis mainly involve meiotic cell division:

• Division and reduction of the chromosomes of a cell.

• Daughter cells produced have half the number of chromosomes as the original
cell.

• Process of producing sperm and egg cell (gametes).

 Corona radiata - 2 to 3 layers or granule cells
Zona pellucida
- barrier that allows only sperm of the same
species access to the egg;
- prevents other spermatozoa from reaching the
egg after fertilization;
- prevents premature implantation of the
developing embryo into the uterine wall.
 During coitus (sexual intercourse), sperm cells
are deposited in the female reproductive tract
and swim thru the oviduct.

Ejaculation produces about 5 ml of semen which contains 450 million sperm.

c
 Four Major Events of Fertilization
1. Sperm contacts the egg
2. Sperm or its nucleus enters the egg
3. Egg becomes activated and
developmental changes begin
4. Sperm and egg nuclei fuse

Functions of Fertilization
• Transmission of genes from both the parents
to offsprings.
• Restoration of the diploid number of
chromosomes reduced during meiosis.
• Initiation of development in offspring.
Fertilization produces zygote

Cleavage stage
Morula stage

Blastula stage
 Implantation

The embryo implants in the

wall of the uterus on about
The 7th day of development.

Gastrulation

- morphogenetic process
- invagination or infolding of the blastula
- cells of the blastula are rearranged into
a three-layered embryo, called
gastrula
Organogenesis - different structures develop from the three germ layers.

ECTODERM: MESODERM: ENDODERM:

• Epidermis of skin • Notochord • Epithelial lining of
including sweat • Skeletal system digestive tract
glands, hair follicles • Muscular system • Epithelial lining of
• Epithelial lining of respiratory system
• Muscular layer of
mouth and rectum • Lining of urethra,
stomach & intestine
urinary bladder,
• Sense receptors in • Excretory system
epidermis and reproductive
• Circulatory system system
• Cornea and lens of
• Lymphatic systems • Pancreas
eye
• Reproductive system • Liver
• Nervous system
(except germ cells) • Thymus
• Dermis of skin • Thyroid and
• Adrenal medulla parathyroid glands
• Lining of body cavity
• Adrenal cortex
• Tooth enamel

• Pineal and
pituitary glands
What Are Mitosis And
Meiosis?

• Both are types of Mitosis:

reproduction used
during the cell cycle • Division of chromosomes in a cell.

• Each type of cell • Daughter cells produced have the

division are specialized same number of chromosomes as
for different types of parent cell.
cells

• Replication of somatic cells.

• Both undergo the cell
cycle in very similar, yet
very different ways