Module 4 Lesson 1 - 1

Get Focused

How does an offspring progress from a fertilized cell, totally dependent during its internal life in utero, to an offspring of billions of cells able to survive independent from the mother? The processes from fertilization through to the maturation of the fetus are astounding, and it all starts with two cells.

In previous lessons of this unit, you studied the structures and functions of the male and female reproductive systems and the hormones that cause the onset and development of these systems. This lesson takes you through the events that occur upon fertilization.

In this lesson, to understand fertilization and embryonic development, you will examine the following focusing questions:

• What are the sequences of events and hormonal controls that occur throughout fertilization and embryonic development?
• How are twins formed?