Blastoderm, spelled /ˈblæs.toʊˌdɜrm/, is a term used in embryology to describe the early stage of an embryo where a single layer of cells surrounds a fluid-filled cavity. The word blastoderm comes from the Greek words "blastos" meaning bud or sprout and "derma" meaning skin. The correct spelling of blastoderm is important for clear communication within the scientific community. The IPA phonetic transcription helps to explain the pronunciation of the word and makes it easier for individuals to understand its correct spelling.
Blastoderm refers to a significant stage in embryonic development in which a structure called the blastodisc, consisting of a single layer of cells, forms on the surface of the yolk in animals that undergo meroblastic cleavage, such as birds, reptiles, and fish. This stage marks the earliest stage of gastrulation, during which the three primary germ layers are formed.
Typically observed as a disc-shaped structure, the blastoderm encompasses the majority of the embryo’s cells during this crucial period. It serves as the precursor to the germ layers, which go on to develop into various tissues and organs of the body. The blastoderm undergoes gastrulation, a process characterized by the migration and reorganization of cells, leading to the formation of the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
The cell layer of the blastoderm is vital for several essential processes, including cell differentiation, axis formation, and the establishment of bodily structures. One of the critical events occurring during blastoderm stage is the creation of the primitive streak, a groove-like structure along the midline of the blastoderm that serves as a blueprint for the organism's future body orientation.
Due to its pivotal role in early embryonic development, any abnormalities or disruptions in blastoderm formation or function can result in significant developmental malformations or even embryo loss, emphasizing its crucial importance in embryology and developmental biology.
The germinal disc or spot which forms on the egg in the early stage of incubation.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "blastoderm" comes from the combination of two Greek roots: "blastos" meaning "germ" or "embryo", and "derma" meaning "skin" or "covering". In embryology, the blastoderm refers to the embryonic tissue layer that forms on the surface of the yolk of avian and reptilian eggs, from which the embryo develops. This layer eventually gives rise to different germ layers that form the various tissues and organs of the developing embryo.