FERTILIZATION

AND
EMBRYONIC
DEVELOPMENT
Early Zygote
Development
in Humans
“The Tale of the
Sperm Cell”

(The Winner
Takes All)

…hehe…
Fertilization
Fertilization is the
union of the sperm
cell and the egg
cell.
Fertilization
Fertilization is
possible if the
sperm cells arrive a
day or two before or
after ovulation.
Fertilization
Fertilization is still
possible since the
sperm can survive for
as long as 3 days in
the female
reproductive organ.
Fertilization
This means,
pregnancy may occur
within 3 days of
ovulation.
Fertilization
Only one sperm
cell can break
through the
membrane of an
egg.
After the fertilization,
the structure of the
egg membrane
changes thus
preventing other
sperm cell to enter
After the fertilization,
the resulting zygote
moves through the
fallopian tube and
into the uterus.
46 chromosomes
 The zygote divides
rapidly into two cells,
then four cells , then
eight cells, and so on
forming a ball of cells
called MORULA.
The growing mass of
hundreds of cells
then forms a hallow
ball called
BLASTOCYST.
 The blastocyst
attaches to the
endometrium of the
uterus. This is called
IMPLANTATION.
 For the next eight
weeks, the
developing zygote is
called an EMBRYO.
 The PLACENTA
serves as the organ
of nutrition,
respiration, and
excretion for the
embryo.
 After about nine
weeks, the embryo is
called FETUS.
 After about nine
weeks, the embryo is
called FETUS , the
term used from the
beginning of the third
month until birth.
 The most rapid
growth of the fetus
occurs on the fourth
to sixth months of
development.
It takes nine months
before a baby is
ready to be born.
Development
of the
Embryo
AMNION

AMNIOTIC
CAVITY

AMNIOTIC
FLUID
The amniotic fluid
has the following
functions:
 Protects and
cushions the fetus
from sudden blow or
mechanical stress.
 Support the
developing embryo
and eventually the
fetus.
Buoys up the fetus to
allow freedom of
movement and the
symmetrical
musculoskeletal
development.
 Maintains a relatively
constant temperature
for the environment
surrounding the fetus.
Acts as a lubricant to
reduce friction during
the birthing process.