Meroblastic meaning

Meroblastic refers to a type of cleavage in which only a portion of the egg is divided, leaving a yolk mass in the center.


Meroblastic definitions

Word backwards citsalborem
Part of speech The word "meroblastic" functions as an adjective.
Syllabic division me-ro-blas-tic
Plural The plural of the word "meroblastic" is "meroblastics."
Total letters 11
Vogais (4) e,o,a,i
Consonants (7) m,r,b,l,s,t,c

Meroblastic is a term used to describe a type of cleavage that occurs in the early stages of embryonic development. In meroblastic cleavage, only a portion of the egg is involved in cell division, while the rest of the egg remains undivided. This type of cleavage occurs in eggs that contain a large amount of yolk, such as bird eggs and reptile eggs.

Types of Meroblastic Cleavage

There are two main types of meroblastic cleavage: discoidal cleavage and superficial cleavage. In discoidal cleavage, cell division only occurs in a small disc of cytoplasm at the animal pole of the egg, while the yolk-rich vegetal pole remains undivided. In superficial cleavage, cell division occurs in a sheet of cells on the surface of the yolk, without fully dividing the yolk itself.

Importance of Meroblastic Cleavage

Meroblastic cleavage is important because it allows for the development of organisms that have large amounts of yolk in their eggs. The presence of yolk provides nutrients for the developing embryo, but it also presents challenges for cell division. Meroblastic cleavage is an adaptation that allows for successful embryonic development in these types of eggs.

Comparison to Holoblastic Cleavage

In contrast to meroblastic cleavage, holoblastic cleavage involves complete division of the egg into individual cells. This type of cleavage occurs in eggs with very little yolk, such as those of mammals. The presence or absence of yolk in the egg determines whether meroblastic or holoblastic cleavage will occur.

In conclusion, meroblastic cleavage is a type of cleavage that occurs in eggs with a large amount of yolk, allowing for successful embryonic development in these organisms. Understanding the different types of cleavage is essential for understanding the early stages of development in various species.


Meroblastic Examples

  1. The meroblastic cleavage pattern observed in the frog embryos is different from that of humans.
  2. Scientists studied the meroblastic division of cells to understand embryonic development better.
  3. The meroblastic egg of a bird has a yolk that provides nutrients for the developing embryo.
  4. In meroblastic cleavage, only a portion of the egg undergoes cell division.
  5. Understanding meroblastic cleavage is essential for studying early animal development.
  6. The meroblastic embryo grows rapidly within the protective shell of the egg.
  7. Certain fish species exhibit a meroblastic cleavage pattern during fertilization.
  8. Researchers are still exploring the mechanisms behind meroblastic cell division.
  9. The study of meroblastic development sheds light on evolutionary biology.
  10. Meroblastic embryos require specialized techniques for observation under a microscope.


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  • Updated 01/05/2024 - 21:53:50