In this video I go over a quick overview of animal development, which starts from the formation of the zygote through the fusion of a sperm and egg cell during fertilization. The zygote then rapidly divides and forms a ball of similar cells called a blastula. Follows next is gastrulation, in which the blastula gets converted into the three germ layers: endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. These three germ layers then form the internal organs. YouTube - Summary - Notes - Playlist
- The endoderm forms the lungs, thyroid, and pancreas.
- The mesoderm helps form the cardiac muscles, skeletal muscles, smooth muscles, red blood cells, and tissues within the kidneys.
- The ectoderm produces tissues within epidermis (outermost layer of skin), neurons within the brain, and melanocytes (producing melanin or pigment producing cells).