Module 4 Fertilization to Birth

Explore

Due to the many changes that are not only occurring to the embryo, but also to the supporting structures, and including  all related hormonal changes, it is recommended that you do the reading first. Try to make your own graphic organizer or notes as you are doing the readings. Once you have done the readings, you may then move on to watching the videos that have been presented for you.

Read

To understand how two gamete cells, containing half the chromosome number of the parents, can combine together and transform into an organism of millions of cells, all within the first two months of gestation, you need to better understand fertilization and embryonic development. In order to begin to understand how prenatal development occurs, read pages 506 to 519 of the textbook.

Watch and Listen

Now that you have been introduced to the concepts and terminology of embryonic development, watch the following videos to gain further understanding of this important prenatal period:

 Crash Course - Embryology
 

Lab 1: Comparing Embryonic Structures

Looking at various images, whether they be real or diagrams, will help you understand the differences between the various stages of embryonic development and the structures that support the embryo. In the following lab investigation, you will be examining microscope slides of various stages of embryonic development in a sea urchin and comparing the support structures of an embryonic chick and an embryonic human.