MORULA Meaning and
Definition
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A morula is a stage in the early development of an embryo, occurring after the zygote has undergone several rounds of cell division. It is characterized by a solid ball of cells, which appear tightly packed together, resembling a mulberry or raspberry, hence the term "morula," derived from the Latin word for mulberry. This stage typically occurs around three to four days after fertilization in humans.
The morula is formed through a process called cleavage, whereby the zygote divides into multiple cells without an increase in overall size. The cells within the morula, known as blastomeres, are undifferentiated and totipotent, meaning they have the potential to give rise to any cell type in the body.
As the morula continues to divide and grow, it undergoes a transformation into a blastocyst, a stage that marks the beginning of implantation into the uterine wall. The outer cells of the morula become more loosely arranged, forming a cavity called the blastocoel, while the inner cells cluster together on one side, forming the inner cell mass.
The morula serves as a critical stage in embryonic development, ensuring the proper allocation of cells and laying the foundation for the formation of different tissue layers. It represents a crucial step towards the eventual formation of a fully developed organism.
Common Misspellings for MORULA
- norula
- jorula
- mirula
- mkrula
- mlrula
- mprula
- m0rula
- m9rula
- moeula
- motula
- mo5ula
- mo4ula
- moryla
- morhla
- morjla
- morila
- mor8la
- mor7la
- moruka
Etymology of MORULA
The word "morula" comes from Latin, specifically from the diminutive form of the word "morus", which means "mulberry". The term was coined by German anatomist Karl Ernst von Baer in 1827 to describe the early-stage embryo that resembles a mulberry. This is due to the appearance of the morula, which is a solid ball of cells resembling a cluster of tiny berries. The term "morula" was later adopted in the field of embryology to refer to the early-stage embryo before it develops into a blastocyst.
Similar spelling words for MORULA
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