Totipotency

Just over 24 hours after fertilisation, the zygote completes its first cell division, giving rise to a two-cell embryo. This is followed at intervals of about 10-12 hours by successive embryonic cell divisions. The cells, called blastomeres, are the embryonic stem cells, and they are very special because they are totipotent. This means that they have the ability to develop into any type of cell in the adult body. This is why they have become so important in medical research, because they promise to replace damaged or diseased cells, creating healthy tissues and organs. Scientists are currently very focussed on this area of research.  Blastomeres, or embryonic stem cells only retain this ability for a very short time. 

	Morula Click to enlarge

After about two and a half days the embryo, by now at about the 8-cell stage enters the uterus. By then a remarkable and significant change has occurred. The spherical blastomeres flatten against each other producing a larger area of cell-to-cell contact, and communication between the blastomeres begins. This process is called compaction, and the embryo is now known as a morula. The significance of this stage is that for the first time some cells of the embryo are different from others; this marks the beginning of the process of differentiation. The cells of the embryo are no longer totipotent.

	Blastocyst Click to enlarge

A fluid filled cavity appears within the cells of the morula, and as the cells continue to divide, the cavity enlarges, eventually producing a hollow sphere consisting of two distinct types of cell. This structure is called a blastocyst. It consists of a single layer of flattened cells, the trophectoderm, which is destined to become the placenta and amniotic membranes and a group of smaller cells, called the inner cell mass, which is destined to become the foetus itself.

	A hatching blastocyst Click to enlarge

Up to this point, the zona pellucida has served to protect the developing embryo, but now it will get in the way of the embryo embedding itself in the wall of the uterus, where it will continue to grow and develop until birth. By about 5 days after fertilisation, enzymes break down the zona pellucida, and the blastocyst is able to "hatch" from it by squeezing through a small hole.

Implantation is when for the first time the embryo comes into intimate association with the circulation of the mother, to ensure its survival. Now free of its entire original protective layers, the blastocyst sticks to the lining of uterus, which has become specially thickened to receive it. The blastocyst embeds itself in the lining and the outer layer cells continue to divide and differentiate into the placenta and membranes, whilst the inner cell mass undergoes an extraordinary pattern of genetically programmed growth and development to become a foetus.

  Designer Babies

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HUMAN REPRODUCTION

START OF LIFE

WHEN DOES LIFE BEGIN?

CONTRACEPTION

ASSISTED REPRODUCTION

ABORTION