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ABI 3110 – Developmental Biology Laboratory

Laboratory Exercise No. 3
Cleavage, Blastulation and Gastrulation

CLEAVAGE
Cleavage is the process characterized by the series of mitotic division performed by the fertilized
egg (zygote) that leads to the formation of a multicellular embryo. It is the onset of developmental
process wherein a unicellular gamete becomes a multicellular ball or disc called blastoderm. Each
cleaved cell is known as the blastomere.
There are several types of cleavage:
A) Holoblastic or Complete Cleavage
The egg cytoplasm divides entirely at different cleavage planes which may be meridional,
equatorial and latitudinal. This is classified into: Holoblastic Equal – The egg cytoplasm is divided
entirely by the first two cleavage planes meridionally at right angles followed by horizontal and
equatorial planes producing equal sizes of blastomeres. Examples: microlecithal eggs of amphioxus and
placental mammals. Holoblastic Unequal – The egg cytoplasm is divided entirely by the first two
meridional cleavage planes producing equal blastomeres up to 4-cell stage. Succeeding latitudinal and
meridional cleavage planes produce smaller blastomeres called micromeres and larger blastomeres
called macromeres. Example: mesolecithal eggs of amphibians
B) Meroblastic Cleavage or Incomplete Cleavage
Type of cleavage wherein the smaller caplike cytoplasmic portion of the egg divides partially
leaving a yolk laden area uncleaved. Examples: eggs of teleosts and elasmobranchs (superficial); reptiles
and birds (discoidal)

BLASTULATION
A process after the cleavage characterized by hollowing out of the blastoderm as influenced by
the internal arrangement of blastomeres forming a monodermic layer of cells surrounding the cavity:
blastocoel of segmentation cavity. The embryo formed is a hollow sphere of cleaved cells called blastula
In Amphioxus, the differentiation of blastomeres into micromeres and macromeres are
pronounced in the 64-cell stage. From the vegetal pole to the animal pole, the successive layers of
blastomeres decrease in size. The blastocoel increases in volume and closes at both poles forming a
hollow cavity.
In Amphibians, a cavity is present at the center of the blastomeres. It increases in size as
cleavage progressed. It has a roof of small cells of the animal pole and larger yolk laden vegetal cells.
The roof of the blastocoel expands and cells become thinner. Cells from the center of the vegetal pole
moves upward until reaching the floor of the blastocoel.

GASTRULATION
This process is characterized by the rapid morphogenetic cell movements whereby the
presumptive ectodermal and endodermal cells of the blastula migrate to the interior. The embryo
elongates and make a 90 degree turn. The blastocoel is obliterated and a new cavity, archenteron is
formed which opens to the outside by means of a blastopore.
In Amphioxus, the invaginating layer of cells eliminate the blastocoel. A gastrula consists of an
outer layer of cells, the ectoderm and an inner layer, the endoderm and an intermediate layer, the
mesoderm. The cavity enclosed by the two layers is the archenteron (gastrocoel) which gives rise to
mesoderm and notochord dorsally and the entire alimentary tract ventrally. The opening leading to the
outside from the archenteron is the blastopore and its involution greatly help in the completion of the
gastrula forming a presumptive endoderm until it comes in contact with the ectoderm.

In Amphibians, three morphogenetic movements are involved: epiboly, involution and

invagination. These movements result in the obliteration of the blastocoel and formation of
archenteron. The cells associated with the archenteron are the chordamesoderm forming its roof and
endoderm forming its floor.
In placental mammals, gastrulation commences with the splitting of the inner cell mass of the
blastocyst into epiblast and hypoblast through the process of delamination. The endodermal layer
spread along the inner surface of the trophoblast forming the yolk sac surrounding the yolk that is not
there.

I. ILLUSTRATIONS.
A. Illustrate the cleavage stages of starfish and amphibians and label the parts.

Figure 1. Starfish cleavage stages (Magnification ______)

Figure 2. Amphibian cleavage stages (Magnification ______)

B. Illustrate the blastula and gastrula stages of starfish and amphibian. Provide the magnification and
the appropriate section of your illustration. Label the parts.

Figure 3. Starfish blastula (______) Figure 4. Amphibian blastula (______)

Figure 5. Starfish gastrula (______) Figure 6. Amphibian gastrula (______)

II. QUESTION FOR RESEARCH.

1. From where are micromeres derived? Why are they smaller than macromeres?

2. In the early stages of amphibian development, what layer is involved in yolk digestion? What is the
basis for the distinction between germ layers in gastrulation?

3. In amphibian gastrulation, are there any evidences of cephalization? Why or why not?

4. Into what cavity does the blastopore open? The gastrular slit? What becomes of each?

5. Explain the eccentric position of the early frog blastocoel.

6. Explain the changes in size and position of the frog blastocoel during gastrulation.