Blastolysis is a biological process of breakdown and dissolution of blastomeres, which are cells formed during embryonic development. The word consists of two parts, "blasto" and "lysis." The first part, "blasto," comes from the Greek word "blastos," meaning "bud" or "germ." The second part, "lysis," comes from the Greek word "lysis," meaning "dissolution." The correct pronunciation of "blastolysis" is [blæstɒlaɪsɪs], where the stress is on the second syllable. The IPA transcription helps to understand the correct spelling and pronunciation of the word.
Blastolysis is a scientific term used primarily in the field of embryology to describe a process that involves the lysis or dissolution of blastomeres, which are individual cells in the early stages of embryo development. More specifically, blastolysis refers to the breakdown or disintegration of these cells within the blastocyst, a hollow structure formed during the early stages of embryogenesis.
During the blastolysis process, blastomeres undergo apoptosis, which is programmed cell death that leads to their degradation. This breakdown is crucial for the development and differentiation of cells in the embryo, ensuring the proper formation of various tissues and organs.
Blastolysis plays a significant role in regulating the cell number and morphology within the blastocyst, enabling the correct allocation of cells to different embryonic layers. Additionally, blastolysis aids in refining the cellular composition of the blastocyst, eliminating excess or abnormal cells that may negatively impact embryonic development.
This term is mainly used in scientific research and medical literature related to embryology and reproduction. Understanding blastolysis is crucial for investigating the processes involved in early embryonic development and may have implications in improving techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and understanding developmental defects or abnormalities.
Lysis or destruction of a germ cell.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "blastolysis" is derived from two Greek roots: "blastos" meaning "germ" or "bud", and "lysis" meaning "loosening" or "dissolution". Therefore, the word "blastolysis" can be understood to mean the dissolution or breakdown of cells or tissue at the early embryonic stage.