(Latin, morula = mulberry) An early stage in post-fertilization development when cells have rapidly mitotically divided to produce a solid mass of cells (12-15 cells) with a "mulberry" appearance. This stage is followed by formation of a cavity in this cellular mass blastocyst stage.

The different cells derived from cleavage are called blastomeres and form a compact mass called the morula. Cleavage ends with the formation of the blastula, or of the blastocyst in mammals.

morula, solid mass of blastomeres resulting from a number of cleavages of a zygote, or fertilized egg. Its name derives from its resemblance to a mulberry (Latin: morum). A morula is usually produced in those species the eggs of which contain little yolk and, consequently, undergo complete cleavage.

Morula is the combined solid mass of cells, which are known as blastomeres, formed by the cleavage of the single-cell zygote which in turn is formed after fertilization of the ovum by the sperm. On the other hand, a blastula is a ball of cells consisting of two layers that are formed by the dynamic arrangement of the blastomeres.

Aug 3, 2023 · The morula is the first embryonic stage where mammalian cells can be categorized as being either internal or external. The morula reaches the uterus between three and four days of development and greatly absorbs nutrients and fluid from the surrounding in preparation for the implantation process.

Jun 15, 2017 · The main difference between morula and blastula is that morula is a spherical mass of blastomeres, which are formed following the splitting of a zygote whereas blastula is an early developmental stage of the embryo, consisting of a spherical layer of cells filled with fluid.

Nov 21, 2023 · A morula is a microscopic ball or cluster of cells formed through cell division very early in the embryonic development that occurs after fertilization but before the blastocyst stage. As the ...

Jul 1, 2019 · Recent findings described in this review indicate that the morula, and the associated process of compaction, as a crucial stage not only for the formation of the blastocyst, but also for the health of the conceptus.

After fertilization, the zygote immediately initiates cell division by mitosis and passes through the 2-, 4-, and 8-cell stages until a tiny cluster of cells known as a morula is formed. After 3-4 days the morula reaches the uterus where it continues to grow.

Blastula and morula are both stages in the early development of an embryo, but they differ in their structure and timing. The morula is the first stage, formed by the rapid division of the fertilized egg into a solid ball of cells.